Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy ESEM

The first commercial environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) was introduced in 

Although it is extremely expensive to modify a standard scanning electron microscope (SEM) to perform as an ESEM, a microscope designed for dual function (ESEM/SEM) can operate well in both modes.  

Dynamic experiments can also be performed with the ESEM in the wet mode one of the hot stages may be used to heat a small sample to as high as 1500 °C and image it during every step of the heating/cooling process. After a certain temperature is passed, above 1100 °C, bias actually needs to be adjusted to reject thermal electrons, but this can be done easily. 

The Peltier heating/cooling stage allows working within 20 °C above or below ambient temperature, and the combination of low temperature (e.g., 4 °C) and high water vapor pressure (e.g., 6.1 Torr) permits achievement of 100% relative humidity (RH) at the sample surface. At 100% RH, samples are not dehydrated during the imaging process. At less than 100% RH, a moist sample constantly loses water as the vacuum in the chamber pumps on it in the scope, it appears as constant movement of the sample. 

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Following early ETEM investigations using environmental cells, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) has been developed for characterization of surface effects of bulk SEM samples in the presence of gaseous or wet environments (111-114). The method has been applied to the examination of food, wool fibers (111), and polymers (112) and in the conservation of cultural properties (113). Recently, fuel cell catalysts have been characterized using a low-voltage ESEM with a resolution capability of 2 nm (114). 

In related work, Dong and coworkers reported using the hydrophobic IL [C4CiIm][PFg] mixed with MWCNs to form two types of MEs [35,36]. In one report, MWCNs were mixed with [C4CiIm][PFJ and applied to a GC electrode [35]. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) images of the films showed homogeneously dispersed island-like particles that open up into a number of rope-like 3-D networks. They incorporated GOx into... 

Wet samples can be analyzed without a previous preparation by the so-called environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). In this technique, instead of the vacuum conditions, the sample chamber is kept in a modest gas pressure (Bache and Donald, 1998). The upper part of the column (illumination source) is kept in high vacuum conditions. A system of differential pumps allows to create a pressure gradient through the column (Bache and Donald, 1998 Stokes and Donald, 2000). The choice of the gas depends on the kind of food hydrated food is kept under water vapor. 

Fig. 12.7. Assessment of channel length of SAP-defined source-drain electrodes (A) top-view environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) image of channel region (B) Scanning Kelvin probe microscopy of...

Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) studies of the fracture surface were conducted in a Philips ESEM 2020, at 10-12 mm and 20.0 kV. 

Bourges et al. studied the kinetics of polylactide (PLA) nanoparticle (NP) localization within the intraocular tissues and to evaluate their potential to release encapsulated material. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) showed the flow of the NPs from the site of injection into the vitreous cavity and their rapid settling on the internal limiting membrane. Histology demonstrated the anatomic integrity of the injected eyes and showed no toxic effects. A mild inflammatory cell infiltrate was observed in the ciliary body 6 h after the injection and in the posterior vitreous and retina at 18-24 h. The intensity of inflammation decreased markedly by 48 h. Confocal and fluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemistry showed that a transretinal movement of the NPs was... 

Cherian et al. [119] also extracted cellulose nanofibres from pineapple leaf fibres using acid-coupled steam treatment. The strucmral and physicochemical properties of the pineapple leaf fibres were studied by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), AFM and TEM and X-ray diffi action (XRD) techniques. The acid-coupled steam explosion process resulted in the isolation of PALF nanofibres having a diameter range of 5-60 nm. Figure 1.24a and b shows the AFM and TEM images of nano fibres obtained from pineapple leaf fibres. AFM and TEM support the evidence for the isolation of individual nanofibres from PALF. 

The dispute entered a new phase when experts were appointed to act for the hospital and manufacturer. A joint meeting agreed that high-resolution microscopy of the fi actured catheter could help resolve the main issues, whether to confirm or negate the score marks claimed by the claimant s expert. This was one of the first uses of environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) the distal catheter end is shown in Fig. 9.8. Although... 

Figure 2.17 Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) images of the surface of PLAioo film after immersion in pH = 8.6 Tris buffer containing 0.2 mg/ml proteinase K at 25°C (a) 0, (b) 12 min, (c) 12 min followed by washing with ethanol, and (d) 60 min. PLA,...

Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM, Philips ESEM-FEG XL30, FEI, Netherlands) was used to image the AFM tip used for force-distance measurements and the surface of the CoCrMo discs. 

The r-electron deficient bis(diimide) motif of 7—in its folded conformation—was found to bind an electronic complementary pyrene end-group of the polysiloxane 8 to form a 7r-7r-stacked complex. Studies of the resulting blend by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) showed it to be both homogeneous and readily healable at temperatures above 80 °C, though its mechanical properties were relatively poor. 

Self-healing process was followed by morphological analysis shown by environmental scanning electron microscopy ESEM. 

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