Scanning electron microscopy conditions

In contrast to many other surface analytical techniques, like e. g. scanning electron microscopy, AFM does not require vacuum. Therefore, it can be operated under ambient conditions which enables direct observation of processes at solid-gas and solid-liquid interfaces. The latter can be accomplished by means of a liquid cell which is schematically shown in Fig. 5.6. The cell is formed by the sample at the bottom, a glass cover - holding the cantilever - at the top, and a silicone o-ring seal between. Studies with such a liquid cell can also be performed under potential control which opens up valuable opportunities for electrochemistry [5.11, 5.12]. Moreover, imaging under liquids opens up the possibility to protect sensitive surfaces by in-situ preparation and imaging under an inert fluid [5.13]. 

This is a nonpolar rubber with very little unsamration. Nanoclays as well as nanotubes have been used to prepare nanocomposites of ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. The work mostly covers the preparation and characterization of these nanocomposites. Different processing conditions, morphology, and mechanical properties have been smdied [61-64]. Acharya et al. [61] have prepared and characterized the EPDM-based organo-nanoclay composites by X-ray diffracto-gram (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy... 

In the same year, Fulda and Tieke [75] reported on Langmuir films of monodisperse, 0.5-pm spherical polymer particles with hydrophobic polystyrene cores and hydrophilic shells containing polyacrylic acid or polyacrylamide. Measurement of ir-A curves and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine the structure of the monolayers. In subsequent work, Fulda et al. [76] studied a variety of particles with different hydrophilic shells for their ability to form Langmuir films. Fulda and Tieke [77] investigated the influence of subphase conditions (pH, ionic strength) on monolayer formation of cationic and anionic particles as well as the structure of films made from bidisperse mixtures of anionic latex particles. 

Suhtnicion nickel powders luive been synthesized successfully from aqueous NiCh at various tempmatuTKi and times with ethanol-water solvent by using the conventional and ultrasonic chemical reduction method. The reductive condition was prepared by flie dissolution of hydrazine hydrate into basic solution. The samples synthesized in various conditions weae claractsiz by the m ins of an X-ray diffractometry (XRD), a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a thermo-gravimetry (TG) and an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that the samples obtained by the ultrasonic method were more smoothly spherical in shape, smaller in size and narrower in particle size distribution, compared to the conventional one. 

The feasibility of synthesizing oxovanadium phthalocyanine (VOPc) from vanadium oxide, dicyanobenzene, and ethylene ycol using the microwave synthesis was investigated by comparing reaction temperatures under the microwave irradiations with the same factors of conventional synthesis. The efficiency of microwave synthesis over the conventional synthesis was illustrated by the yield of crude VOPc. Polymorph of VOPc was obtained ttough the acid-treatment and recrystallization step. The VOPos synthesized in various conditions were characterized hy the means of an X-ray dif actometry (XRD), a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a transmission electron Microscopy (TEM). 

Shinn, J. H. Vermeulen, T. "Scanning Electron Microscopy Study of the Solubilization of Coal Under Mild Conditions". Paper submitted for presentation at Scanning Electron Microscopy Symposium, Washington, D.C., April 1979. 

FIGURE 4.8 Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) cross-sections of AISI430 coupons after 300 h of oxidation at 800°C in air under different exposure conditions (a) both sides exposed to air and (b) on the air side of the air/(H2 + 3%H20) exposures [154]. 

The essential step is the efficient grinding and blending of raw materials. The final properties of cement strongly depend on its mineral composition so that raw composition and firing conditions are adjusted, depending on the type of cement to be produced. The microstructure of the steel fiber-cement paste interface was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The interfacial zone surrounding the fiber was found to be substantially different from the bulk paste further away from the fiber surface. The interfacial zone consisted of... 

Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to evaluate the drug incorporation and surface shape of the microspheres prepared under the various conditions. Particle size was determined using a Tiyoda microscope. Samples of microspheres (180-200) were dispersed on a slide and their diameter was then sized using suitable objectives. 

Evaluating the impact of processing conditions on film structure (by means of visual analysis using scanning electron microscopy)... 

Data collected for each run included acid analysis using inductively coupled plasma (ICF) to determine cation concentration and titration to determine H concentration. Filtering characteristics were determined using solid and filtrate yield rates, as well as back pressures during the filtration cycle. The filter cake was characterized by moisture content and composition. Solid samples were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine changes in particle shape and size under various process conditions, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to determine the solids composition. 

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. 

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