ChemiTEM – Transmission Electron Microscopy Optimized for Chemistry and Material Science

Abstract

Analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has become a widely implemented part of the characterization workflow in material science. TEM is the key technique for the investigation of local composition, surfaces, and atomic interfaces, all crucial to the individual function of the corresponding solid. To date, necessary tasks for a thorough spatially resolved study in nanoscience are usually performed by TEM specialists. This can lead to long response times and limits any systematic approach to efficiently elaborate new synthesis protocols. An easy TEM access in chemical laboratories for standardized investigations, e. g., material screening or qualitative compositional analysis would greatly improve research efficiency. We present the development of standard procedures and workflows optimized for non-expert TEM users. Together with additional automation in hardware and software, the TEM user base can thus be extended, rendering it a standard tool in chemistry laboratories.