Here are a few more images of gold nanoparticles. The gold nanoparticles collected on the functionalized SMART Grids really show different size distributions and morphology. The SiO2 support film also contributes lower background contrast than SiO. I'll be posting more information about the sample preparation soon.

On the right is a higher magnification image of the gold particles. All of the images were taken by Kurt Langworthy on the FEI Titan at the University of Oregon.

SMART Grids- more than a pretty TEM sample

I just joined Dune Sciences as the SMART Grids Product Line Manager. Dune sells silicon TEM grids with electron transparent silicon dioxide windows. These grids are unique because they can withstand temperatures up to 1000 degrees C and a wide variety of cleaning methods including oxygen plasma and acids. Their surface chemistry is taylored to the application. For instance, NIST has specified amine functionalized surfaces in the sample preparation procedure for Au nanoparticles (SRM 8011, 8012 and 8013). Dune's amine grids were used during the imaging round robin organized by NIST. In the images above you can see the improved dispersion of the Au NP's using the SMART Grids and amine functionalization. Have a look at Dune's website http://www.dunesciences.com/. Please post comments to this blog if you have questions about SMART Grids or have specific needs for functionalized sample surfaces for analysis. We think there will be applications from biotech to nanomaterials and for many techniques including AFM, XPS, AES, SIMS, SEM... as well as TEM.

Janet Teshima
Dune Sciences
Product Line Manager-SMART Grids
jteshima@dunesciences.com