1
|
Schwarz TM, Yang J, Aota LS, Woods E, Zhou X, Neugebauer J, Todorova M, McCarroll I, Gault B. Quasi-"In Situ" Analysis of the Reactive Liquid-Solid Interface during Magnesium Corrosion Using Cryo-Atom Probe Tomography. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2401735. [PMID: 38813786 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
The early stages of corrosion occurring at liquid-solid interfaces control the evolution of the material's degradation process, yet due to their transient state, their analysis remains a formidable challenge. Here corrosion tests are performed on a MgCa alloy, a candidate material for biodegradable implants using pure water as a model system. The corrosion reaction is suspended by plunge freezing into liquid nitrogen. The evolution of the early-stage corrosion process on the nanoscale by correlating cryo-atom probe tomography (APT) with transmission-electron microscopy (TEM) and spectroscopy, is studied. The outward growth of Mg hydroxide Mg(OH)2 and the inward growth of an intermediate corrosion layer consisting of hydrloxides of different compositions, mostly monohydroxide Mg(OH) instead of the expected MgO layer, are observed. In addition, Ca partitions to these newly formed hydroxides and oxides. Density-functional theory calculations suggest a domain of stability for this previously experimental unreported Mg(OH) phase. This new approach and these new findings advance the understanding of the early stages of magnesium corrosion, and in general reactions and processes at liquid-solid interfaces, which can further facilitate the development of corrosion-resistant materials or better control of the biodegradation rate of future implants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim M Schwarz
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 40237, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jing Yang
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 40237, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Leonardo S Aota
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 40237, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eric Woods
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 40237, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Xuyang Zhou
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 40237, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jörg Neugebauer
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 40237, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mira Todorova
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 40237, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ingrid McCarroll
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 40237, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Baptiste Gault
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 40237, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tegg L, McCarroll IE, Kim SH, Dubosq R, Woods EV, El-Zoka AA, Gault B, Cairney JM. Analysis of Water Ice in Nanoporous Copper Needles Using Cryo Atom Probe Tomography. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2024:ozae062. [PMID: 39027931 DOI: 10.1093/mam/ozae062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The application of atom probe tomography (APT) to frozen liquids is limited by difficulties in specimen preparation. Here, we report on the use of nanoporous Cu needles as a physical framework to hold water ice for investigation using APT. Nanoporous Cu needles are prepared by electropolishing and dealloying Cu-Mn matchstick precursors. Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy and focused ion beam milling reveal a hierarchical, dendritic, highly wettable microstructure. The atom probe mass spectrum is dominated by peaks of Cu+ and H(H2O)n+ up to n ≤ 3, and the reconstructed volume shows the protrusion of a Cu ligament into an ice-filled pore. The continuous Cu ligament network electrically connects the apex to the cryostage, leading to an enhanced electric field at the apex and increased cooling, both of which simplify the mass spectrum compared to previous reports.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Levi Tegg
- School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Ingrid E McCarroll
- Department of Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design,Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Se-Ho Kim
- Department of Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design,Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Renelle Dubosq
- Department of Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design,Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eric V Woods
- Department of Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design,Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Ayman A El-Zoka
- Department of Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design,Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Baptiste Gault
- Department of Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design,Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Julie M Cairney
- School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Exertier F, Tegg L, Taylor A, Cairney JM, Fu J, Marceau RKW. Nanoscale Analysis of Frozen Water by Atom Probe Tomography Using Graphene Encapsulation and Cryo-Workflows. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2024:ozae054. [PMID: 38905154 DOI: 10.1093/mam/ozae054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
There has been an increasing interest in atom probe tomography (APT) to characterize hydrated and biological materials. A major benefit of APT compared to microscopy techniques more commonly used in biology is its combination of outstanding three-dimensional (3D) spatial resolution and mass sensitivity. APT has already been successfully used to characterize biominerals, revealing key structural information at the atomic scale, however there are many challenges inherent to the analysis of soft hydrated materials. New preparation protocols, often involving specimen preparation and transfer at cryogenic temperature, enable APT analysis of hydrated materials and have the potential to enable 3D atomic scale characterization of biological materials in the near-native hydrated state. In this study, samples of pure water at the tips of tungsten needle specimens were prepared at room temperature by graphene encapsulation. A comparative study was conducted where specimens were transferred at either room temperature or cryo-temperature and analyzed by APT by varying the flight path and pulsing mode. The differences between the analysis workflows are presented along with recommendations for future studies, and the compatibility between graphene coating and cryogenic workflows is demonstrated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florant Exertier
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Levi Tegg
- School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Adam Taylor
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Julie M Cairney
- School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Australian Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jing Fu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Ross K W Marceau
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Woods EV, Singh MP, Kim SH, Schwarz TM, Douglas JO, El-Zoka AA, Giulani F, Gault B. A Versatile and Reproducible Cryo-sample Preparation Methodology for Atom Probe Studies. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2023; 29:1992-2003. [PMID: 37856778 DOI: 10.1093/micmic/ozad120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Repeatable and reliable site-specific preparation of specimens for atom probe tomography (APT) at cryogenic temperatures has proven challenging. A generalized workflow is required for cryogenic specimen preparation including lift-out via focused ion beam and in situ deposition of capping layers, to strengthen specimens that will be exposed to high electric field and stresses during field evaporation in APT and protect them from environment during transfer into the atom probe. Here, we build on existing protocols and showcase preparation and analysis of a variety of metals, oxides, and supported frozen liquids and battery materials. We demonstrate reliable in situ deposition of a metallic capping layer that significantly improves the atom probe data quality for challenging material systems, particularly battery cathode materials which are subjected to delithiation during the atom probe analysis itself. Our workflow design is versatile and transferable widely to other instruments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric V Woods
- Mikrostrukturphysik und Legierungsdesign, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany
| | - Mahander P Singh
- Mikrostrukturphysik und Legierungsdesign, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany
| | - Se-Ho Kim
- Mikrostrukturphysik und Legierungsdesign, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany
| | - Tim M Schwarz
- Mikrostrukturphysik und Legierungsdesign, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany
| | - James O Douglas
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BP, UK
| | - Ayman A El-Zoka
- Mikrostrukturphysik und Legierungsdesign, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BP, UK
| | - Finn Giulani
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BP, UK
| | - Baptiste Gault
- Mikrostrukturphysik und Legierungsdesign, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany
- Department of Materials, Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BP, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Schwarz TM, Ott J, Solodenko H, Schmitz G, Stender P. Nanoscale analysis of frozen honey by atom probe tomography. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17786. [PMID: 36273026 PMCID: PMC9587987 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22717-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional reconstruction of the analysed volume is one of the main goals of atom probe tomography (APT) and can deliver nearly atomic resolution (~ 0.2 nm spatial resolution) and chemical information with a mass sensitivity down to the ppm range. Extending this technique to frozen biological systems would have an enormous impact on the structural analysis of biomolecules. In previous works, we have shown that it is possible to measure frozen liquids with APT. In this paper, we demonstrate the ability of APT to trace nanoscale precipitation in frozen natural honey. While the mass signals of the common sugar fragments CxHy and CxOyHz overlap with (H2O)nH from water, we achieved correct stoichiometric values via different interpretation approaches for the peaks and thus determined the water content reliably. Next, we use honey to investigate the spatial resolution capabilities as a step toward the measurement of biological molecules in solution in 3D with sub-nanometer resolution. This may take analytical techniques to a new level, since methods of chemical characterization for cryogenic samples, especially biological samples, are still limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim M Schwarz
- Institute for Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstr. 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Jonas Ott
- Institute for Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstr. 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Helena Solodenko
- Institute for Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstr. 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Guido Schmitz
- Institute for Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstr. 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Patrick Stender
- Institute for Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstr. 3, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Segreto N, Schwarz TM, Dietrich CA, Stender P, Schuldt R, Schmitz G, Kästner J. Understanding the Underlying Field Evaporation Mechanism of Pure Water Tips in High Electrical Fields. J Phys Chem A 2022; 126:5663-5671. [PMID: 35972399 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c04163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the field evaporation process of frozen water in atom probe tomography (APT) by density functional simulations. In previous experiments, a strong tailing effect was observed for peaks caused by the molecular structure (H2O)nH+, in contrast to other peaks. In purely field-induced and thermally assisted evaporation simulations, we found that chains of protonated water molecules were pulled out of the dielectric surface by up to 6 Å, which are stable over a wide range of field strengths. Therefore, the resulting water clusters experience only part of the acceleration after evaporation compared to molecules evaporating directly from the surface and, thus, exhibit an energy deficit, which explains the tailing effect. Our simulations provide new insight into the complex evaporation behavior of water in high electrical fields and reveal possibilities for adapting the existing reconstruction algorithms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nico Segreto
- Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tim M Schwarz
- Institute for Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstraße 3, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Carolin A Dietrich
- Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Patrick Stender
- Institute for Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstraße 3, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Robin Schuldt
- Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Guido Schmitz
- Institute for Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstraße 3, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Johannes Kästner
- Institute for Theoretical Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Stender P, Solodenko H, Weigel A, Balla I, Schwarz TM, Ott J, Roussell M, Joshi Y, Duran R, Al-Shakran M, Jacob T, Schmitz G. A Modular Atom Probe Concept: Design, Operational Aspects, and Performance of an Integrated APT-FIB/SEM Solution. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2022; 28:1-13. [PMID: 35039107 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927621013982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Atomic probe tomography (APT) is able to generate three-dimensional chemical maps in atomic resolution. The required instruments for APT have evolved over the last 20 years from an experimental to an established method of materials analysis. Here, we describe the realization of a new modular instrument concept that allows the direct attachment of APT to a dual-beam SEM microscope with the main achievement of fast and direct sample transfer and high flexibility in chamber and component configuration. New operational modes are enabled regarding sample geometry, alignment of tips, and the microelectrode. The instrument is optimized to handle cryo-samples at all stages of preparation and storage. It comes with its own software for evaluation and reconstruction. The performance in terms of mass resolution, aperture angle, and detection efficiency is demonstrated with a few application examples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Stender
- Institute of Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstrasse 3, 70569Stuttgart, Germany
- Inspico, TTI GmbH, Nobelstraße 15, 70569Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Helena Solodenko
- Institute of Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstrasse 3, 70569Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Andreas Weigel
- Inspico, TTI GmbH, Nobelstraße 15, 70569Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Irdi Balla
- Inspico, TTI GmbH, Nobelstraße 15, 70569Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Tim Maximilian Schwarz
- Institute of Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstrasse 3, 70569Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jonas Ott
- Institute of Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstrasse 3, 70569Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Manuel Roussell
- Institute of Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstrasse 3, 70569Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Yug Joshi
- Institute of Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstrasse 3, 70569Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Rüya Duran
- Institute of Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstrasse 3, 70569Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Mohammad Al-Shakran
- Institute of Electrochemistry, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, 89081Ulm, Germany
| | - Timo Jacob
- Institute of Electrochemistry, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, 89081Ulm, Germany
| | - Guido Schmitz
- Institute of Materials Science, Chair of Materials Physics, University of Stuttgart, Heisenbergstrasse 3, 70569Stuttgart, Germany
- Inspico, TTI GmbH, Nobelstraße 15, 70569Stuttgart, Germany
| |
Collapse
|