Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-xbtfd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-02T20:53:02.879Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Imaging Heterophase Molecular Materials in the Environmental SEM

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

B.L. Thiel ,
A.M. Donald ,
D.J. Stokes ,
I.C. Bache  and
N. Stelmashenko
B.L. Thiel
Affiliation:
Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
A.M. Donald
Affiliation:
Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
D.J. Stokes
Affiliation:
Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
I.C. Bache
Affiliation:
Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
N. Stelmashenko
Affiliation:
Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Get access

Abstract

The Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope allows imaging of hydrated specimens, as well as fluid-containing or even fully fluid microstructures. This is possible so long as all of the phases can be thermodynamically stabilized. Experimental operating parameters include specimen temperature and chamber gas chemistry and pressure. However, it is also possible to alter the thermodynamic properties of phases by various chemical and physical means. These approaches have been used in ESEM studies on soft condensed matter such as emulsions, complex fluids and gels. By deliberately moving away from stabilizing conditions, it is also possible to perform dynamic experiments. A number of applications are illustrated.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 589 , 1999 , 211
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2001

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Danilatos, G.D., “Foundations of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy,” Adv. Elec. Electron Phys. 71, 109–250 (1988).Google Scholar
2Danilatos, G.D., “Theory of the Gaseous Detector Device in the Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope,” Adv. Elec. Electron Phys. 78, 1-102 (1990)Google Scholar
3Thiel, B.L., Bache, I.C., Fletcher, A.L. et al. , “An Improved Model for Gas Amplification in the Environmental SEM,” J. Microscopy 187 (Pt. 3), 143–157 (1997)Google Scholar
4Fletcher, A.L., Thiel, B.L., and Donald, A.M., “Amplification Measurements of Potential Imaging Gases in Environmental SEM,” J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 30, 2249–2257 (1997)Google Scholar
5Thiel, B.L. and Donald, A.M., “In-Situ Mechanical Testing of Fully Hydrated Carrots (Daucus carota) in the Environmental SEM,” Annals of Botany 82, 727–733 (1998)Google Scholar
6Thiel, B.L. and Donald, A.M., “Microstructural Failure Mechanisms of Cooked and Aged Carrots,” J. Text. Stud. submitted (2000)Google Scholar
7Stokes, D.J., Thiel, B.L., and Donald, A.M., “Direct Observation of Water-Oil Emulsion Systems in the Liquid State by Environmental SEM,” Langmuir 14 (16), 4402–4408 (1998)Google Scholar
8Thiel, B.L. and Donald, A.M., “The Study of Water in Heterogeneous Media Using Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy,” J. Molecular Liquids 80, 207–230 (1999)Google Scholar
9Stelmashenko, N. and Donald, A.M., “ESEM Study of Film Formation in Laticies Polymerised in the Presence of Starch,” Microscopy & Microanalysis 4, supplement 2, 286–287 (1998)Google Scholar