EM - TEM Sample Preparation and Demonstration

Sample preparation is vital for quality imaging. Thin samples are required, >100µm to allow electrons to move through the sample, which also means the nanoparticles used to prepare the sample should be >100µm and also only be in a single layer.

Equipment and Materials:
Sample

TEM grid coated with carbon film

Pipette for 20µl

Sonicator/agitator

Grid tweezers (self-closing)

Drying light (optional)

Step1: Prepare the sample by dilution with water, add nanoparticles.

Step 2: Sonicate the sample/nanoparticles to remove any clumps or aggregation of sample.

Step 3: Draw 20µl of the sample and nanoparticle mixture and drop cast onto TEM grid coated with carbon film. Evaporate the liquid from the grid for ~1hr. The grid is then ready to be analysed in the TEM.

Here is a video showing the steps of sample preparation for drop cast samples followed by a demonstration of the capabilities of the JEOL F200 by the Microscopy Australia network at the Electron Microscope Unit (EMU) within the Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre (MWAC) at UNSW Sydney.