Structural and Chemical Analysis of Materials with High Spatial Resolution

 An understanding of the correlation between microstructures and properties of materials require the characterization of the material on many different length scales. Often the properties depend primarily on the atomistics of defects, such as dislocations and interfaces. The different techniques of transmission electron microscopy allow the characterization of the structure and of the chemical composition of materials with high spatial resolution to the atomic level: high resolution transmission electron microscopy allows the determination of the position of the columns of atoms (ions) with high accuracy. The accuracy which can be achieved in these measurements depends not only on the instrumentation but also on the quality of the transmitted specimen and on the scattering power of the atoms (ions) present in the analyzed column. The chemical composition can be revealed from investigations by analytical microscopy which includes energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, mainly quantitatively applied for heavy elements, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Furthermore, the energy-loss near-edge structure of EELS data results in information on the local band structure of unoccupied states of the excited atoms and, therefore, on bonding. A quantitative evaluation of convergent beam electron diffraction results in information on the electron charge density distribution of the bulk (defect-free) material. The different techniques are described and applied to different problems in materials science. It will be shown that nearly atomic resolution can be achieved in high resolution electron microscopy and in analytical electron microscopy. Recent developments in electron microscopy instrumentation will result in atomic resolution in the foreseeable future.     

失活加氢精制催化剂中硫铁相的高分辨透射电镜研究

利用高分辨透射电镜(HRTEM)结合X射线能谱仪(EDS)和选区电子衍射(SAED)分析,对运转后的加氢精制催化剂中含有的微量未知相的化学组成、晶体结构进行了研究.通过X射线能谱仪确定该未知相主要成分为硫和铁.根据选区电子衍射结果,该硫铁相为单晶结构.采用样品倾转的方法,获得3幅不同取向的选区电子衍射图,根据衍射谱中衍射斑点对应的晶体学信息及3幅电子衍射图取向间的夹角关系,确定该硫铁化合物属于正交晶系的硫化亚铁,分子式为Fe0.91S.该催化剂应用于高温高压下的加氢环境中,其中原料油中的酸性物质,尤其是环烷酸对加氢设备材质的腐蚀是导致硫铁化合物相形成的主要原因,并由此探讨了硫铁化合物相的形成机制.     

Electron Diffraction with the Transmission Electron Microscope as a Phase-Determining Diffractometer—From Spatial Frequency Filtering to the Three-Dimensional Structure Analysis of Ribosomes

Chemists recognize X-ray crystal structure analysis and electron microscopy as powerful methods of analysis. In the last 20 years the basic ideas of X-ray diffraction analysis have been extended to the field of electron microscopy, whereby an image-forming apparatus is converted into an electron diffractometer, and through which an old dream of crystallographers can be realized—the measurement of the phase shift of scattered waves, a prerequisite for the direct calculation of structures. Its most important area of application, like that of the X-ray diffractometer, is in three-dimensional structure analysis—in all fields of science. However, beyond crystallography, aperiodic structures (comparable to crystals with a single unit cell) can also be analyzed three-dimensionally. In this progress report, the development of the first idea (spatial frequency filtering) to the analysis of ribosomal particles is outlined. Attention will be focused primarily on quantitative methods for the measurement of scattered rays, which are also usable beyond the conventional limit of resolution, down to atomic resolution. In the course of this work in 1968, the principle of the three-dimensional analysis of native biological crystal structures using the electron microscope, as worked with today in many laboratories, was developed. In Munich, however, further research focused on the three-dimensional analysis of aperiodic and individual (especially biological) objects. The analysis of 50S-subunits of the procaryotic ribosome of E. coli showed surprisingly good reproducibility of the results (although only within the same orientation), allowing the deduction of almost ideal average model structures from a limited number of particles.     

Structure and Properties of Electrochemically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles in Aqueous Solution by High-Resolution Techniques

The aim of this work was to deeply investigate the structure and properties of electrochemically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through high-resolution techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Zeta Potential measurements, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Strong brightness, tendency to generate nanoclusters containing an odd number of atoms, and absence of the free silver ions in solution were observed. The research also highlighted that the chemical and physical properties of the AgNPs seemed to be related to their peculiar oxidative state as suggested by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analyses. Finally, the MTT assay tested the low cytotoxicity of the investigated AgNPs.     

Spectroscopic imaging techniques for characterization of polymer morphologies: a combination of infrared and electron microscopy

The morphological characterization of polymer blends consisting of polyamide and poly(tetrafluoroethylene) using FT-IR spectroscopy and electron microscopy is described. To enhance the lateral resolution - one of the main limits in infrared spectroscopy - a combination with scanning electron microscopy and analytical electron microscopic methods of a transmission electron microscope was made. The possibilities of electron energy loss spectroscopy and energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) in the area of polymer characterization are outlined.     

Sn(20.5) square(3.5)As(22)I(8): a largely disordered cationic clathrate with a new type of superstructure and abnormally low thermal conductivity

Sn(20.5)As(22)I(8), a new cationic clathrate, has been prepared by using an ampoule technique. According to the X-ray powder diffraction data, it crystallizes in the face-centered cubic space group F23 or Fm(-)3 with a unit-cell parameter of a=22.1837(4) A. Single-crystal X-ray data allowed solution of the crystal structure in the subcell with a unit-cell parameter of a(0)=11.092(1) A and the space group Pm(-)3n (R=5.7 %). Sn(20.5)As(22)I(8) (or Sn(20.5) square(3.5)As(22)I(8), accounting for the vacancies in the framework) possesses the clathrate-I type crystal structure, with iodine atoms occupying the cages of the cationic framework composed of tin and arsenic atoms. The crystal structure is strongly disordered. The main features are a random distribution of vacancies, and shifts of the tin and arsenic atoms away from their ideal positions. The coordination of the tin atoms has been confirmed by using (119)Sn M?ssbauer spectroscopy. Electron diffraction and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) analyses have confirmed the presence of the superstructure ordering, which results in a doubling of the unit-cell parameter and a change of the space group from Pm(-)3n to either F23 or Fm(-)3. Analysis of the crystal structure has led to the construction of four ordering models for the superstructure, which have been corroborated by HREM, and has also led to the identification of disordered regions originating from overlap of the different types of ordered domains. Sn(20.5)As(22)I(8) is a diamagnetic semiconductor with an estimated band gap of 0.45 eV; it displays abnormally low thermal conductivity, with the room temperature value being just 0.5 W m(-1) K(-1).     

X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy of galvannealed coatings on steel

The formation of Fe–Zn intermetallic compounds, as relevant in the commercial product galvannealed steel sheet, was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and different methods of X-ray diffraction. A scanning electron microscope with high resolution was applied to investigate the layers of the galvannealed coating and its topography. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GID) was preferred over conventional Bragg–Brentano geometry for analysing thin crystalline layers because of its lower incidence angle α and its lower depth of information. Furthermore, in situ experiments at an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) with an internal heating plate and at an X-ray diffractometer equipped with a high-temperature chamber were carried out. Thus, it was possible to investigate the phase evolution during heat treatment by X-ray diffraction and to display the growth of the ζ crystals in the ESEM.     

感应熔炼高锰硅的结构和形貌特性

采用场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)和X射线能谱仪(EDXS)对感应熔炼高锰硅(HMS)中的第二相条纹的形貌和成份进行了研究,发现第二相条纹平行贯穿整个高锰硅晶粒,其条纹宽度约30nm,间距在5-30μm内,成份为MnSi.通过高分辨透射电镜(HRTEM)观察到MnSi条纹为短程有序而长程无序的非晶形态.采用选区电子衍射(SAED)确定了高锰硅的晶体结构,结果表明所获得的高锰硅为单一的Mn4Si7相,未观察到高锰硅其它的非公度结构.透射电镜(TEM)结果表明,熔炼的高锰硅经过球磨和热压后产生了大量缺陷和应力畴,与热压之前的熔锭材料相比有明显差异.     

TEM investigation of the microporous compound VSB-1: Building units and crystal growth mechanisms

Surface fine structure and structural defects in the open framework material VSB-1 have been investigated by electron microscopy. Crystal growth phenomena are proposed by a building unit model: (i) a unit is formed by two building units; (ii) they are linked to form first channels; and (iii) the whole network is grown via a layer-by-layer growth mechanism. A planar defect was observed in high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) image taken with the [0001] incidence, and diffuse streaks related to the presence of defects were observed in a series of electron diffraction (ED) patterns. The microstructure model derived from the defect structure gives information on crystal growth. These defects highlight an open site that could be the pillar of a new crystal growth process. The study of defects and crystal growth is important in understanding physical properties such as catalytic or magnetic properties, and in synthesising a new open framework structure.     

Synthesis of straight and helical carbon nanotubes from catalytic pyrolysis of polyethylene

Straight and helical carbon nanotubes with diameter from 20 to 60 nm have been synthesized through catalytic decomposition of polyethylene in autoclave at 700 °C. The X-ray power diffraction pattern indicates that the products are hexagonal graphite, and transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) images reveal the morphologies and structures of carbon nanotubes. The effects of reaction temperature, catalyst and maleated polypropylene on the growth of the carbon nanotubes were also discussed, and the growth mechanism of the CNTs was proposed. Pyrolysis of polyethylene is a promising green chemical method for economically producing carbon nanotubes.     

Direct imaging of smectic B phase of poly(p-xylylene)

Single crystals of poly(p-xylylene) were grown in dilute α-methylnaphthalene solution and studied by bright-field and high-resolution electron microscopy (HREM). The crystallization process was discussed in terms of the dependence of crystal form on crystallization conditions. A 0.15 nm resolution was achieved from high-resolution images of a frozen liquid crystalline phase. High-temperature electron diffraction patterns confirmed the existence of the liquid-crystalline phase in agreement with previous work of Lieser. The HREM images show the molecular packing in the smectic B phase. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

二氧化钛与碳化钨纳米复合材料制备及其对甲醇的电催化氧化活性

以市售纳米二氧化钛(TiO2)为载体,六氯化钨为钨源,将浸渍法与原位还原碳化技术相结合制备了核壳结构碳化钨(WC)/TiO2纳米复合材料;应用X射线衍射分析、透射电子显微镜、高分辨扫描透射成像和X射线能量散射谱等手段对样品晶相、形貌、微结构和化学组成等特征进行了表征.结果表明,样品的晶相由金红石型TiO2、Ti4O7、WC、W2C和WxC构成,钨碳化物负载于钛氧化物外表面,构成比较典型的核壳结构.采用三电极体系和循环伏安法测试了样品在碱性溶液中对甲醇的电催化氧化活性,结果表明,相比于纯碳化钨和二氧化钛,复合材料的电催化活性得到了明显的提升.样品电催化活性的提升与前驱体钨钛摩尔比、还原碳化时间、核壳结构壳层的完整性和晶相组成以及核壳结构中二氧化钛和碳化钨之间的协同效应有关.这说明金红石是能够提升碳化钨电催化氧化活性的载体材料之一.     

加氢精制催化剂表面纳米棒束的电子显微镜研究

利用场发射扫描电镜(SEM)、高分辨透射电镜(HRTEM)、X射线能谱仪(EDX)和选区电子衍射(SAED)分析,对实验室硫化态加氢精制催化剂外表面上的纳米棒束的形貌、化学成分、晶体结构进行研究.SEM结果表明,该纳米棒束普遍分布于催化剂外表面并向外生长,纳米棒束形态较为规整,长度为500～1 500 nm,直径为20...     

六方硼碳氮化合物的溶剂热合成与表征

采用溶剂热合成方法,以无水乙腈、叠氮化钠和四氟硼酸钠为原料,以苯为溶剂,在温度为400℃条件下,成功合成出了硼碳氮(BCN)三元化合物.利用X射线粉末衍射(XRD)、Fourier变换红外光谱(FTIR)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、选区电子衍射(SAED)、X射线能谱(EDS)和电子能量损失谱(EELS)对合成产物进行了表征.XRD和SAED分析表明,合成产物为六方相,晶格常数为a=0.2678nm,c=0.6639nm;TEM结果表明,合成产物中存在纳米棒和四方柱状块体BCN;EELS和EDS分析表明,产物由B,C,N三种元素组成,化学式为B0.23C0.60N0.17;FTIR分析表明样品中存在C—N,B—C和B—N键,表明B,C,N三元素之间达到了原子级化合.     

X射线晶体学结合电子晶体学在复杂无机晶体结构解析中的应用

自然界中的材料,比如无机材料,有机材料,生物材料等等,均有其独特的物理和化学性质。而材料的性能又与材料的结构息息相关,只有充分了解了材料的结构,才能更加深入的研究材料性质。因此,材料结构的确定在化学、物理、生物等学科中的显得尤为重要。X射线晶体学作为传统的结构解析技术仍然是目前最重要的结构解析手段,但是对于复杂结构,X射线衍射晶体学解析结构也存在一些不足,往往需要其他技术手段相补充才能完成复杂结构的结构解析。电子晶体学虽然起步比X射线晶体学晚,但是,经过近几十年的发展,已经是结构解析领域一个非常重要的手段。本文将主要介绍X射线晶体学结合电子晶体学在复杂无机晶体结构解析中的应用。     

Characterization of zero-valent iron nanoparticles

The iron nanoparticle technology has received considerable attention for its potential applications in groundwater treatment and site remediation. Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of zero-valent iron nanoparticles for the transformation of halogenated organic contaminants and heavy metals. In this work, we present a systematic characterization of the iron nanoparticles prepared with the method of ferric iron reduction by sodium borohydride. Particle size, size distribution and surface composition were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HR-XPS), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and acoustic/electroacoustic spectrometry. BET surface area, zeta (ζ) potential, iso-electric point (IEP), solution Eh and pH were also measured. Methods and results presented may foster better understanding, facilitate information exchange, and contribute to further research and development of iron nanoparticles for environmental and other applications.     

Application of analytical transmission electron microscopy to the characterization of interlayers in fibre-reinforced composites with ceramic and glass matrices

The microchemistry of interfaces and corresponding interlayers in different fibre-reinforced ceramic and glass composite systems has been investigated by using a dedicated scanning transmission electron microscope demonstrating the potential applicabilities of such an instrument to this large field of materials science. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy were used to determine the materials composition on a nanometre scale. Besides analyses performed in the spot mode of the electron probe the distributions of the elements present in the interface region were measured as line profiles across the relevant interface structure by X-ray spectroscopy with a lateral resolution of about 5 nm, even for the detection of a light element as carbon. Moreover, in the composite systems under investigation the two-dimensional element distribution was also attained by energy-filtered imaging. In addition, first results of energy loss near edge structure analyses are presented indicating variations of the chemical bonding of silicon at the interface in a Nicalon fibre/Duran glass composite.     

基于透射电子显微镜的沸石分子筛结构研究进展

透射电子显微镜是解析沸石分子筛新结构、 分析结构缺陷和研究活性位点等的有力工具. 应用于分子筛研究的透射电子显微术总体上可以分为图像法和衍射法, 包括透射电子显微镜和扫描透射电子显微图像、 选区电子衍射和三维电子衍射, 通常结合其中的几种方法进行分析. 近年来, 随着电子显微镜硬件性能的不断提升, 特别是球差矫正器的广泛应用及各种适用于分子筛等电子束敏感材料的探测器和图像处理技术的不断革新, 在原子尺度观察分子筛的结构已成为可能. 此外, 利用原位电子显微镜技术研究分子筛的生长和催化反应机理也在逐步展开. 本文按电子显微镜方法分类, 综述了近些年基于电子显微镜的分子筛研究, 包括新结构解析、 手性确认和金属负载等的最新进展.