Practical method for high‐resolution imaging of polymers by low‐voltage scanning electron microscopy

Abstract

Morphologic characterization of polymers by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is often made difficult by their sensitivity to electron beam damage. We describe here a specimen preparation method for the imaging of polymer blends by low-voltage SEM (LV-SEM) that improves their stability in the electron beam and hence facilitates focusing and recording of high magnification images. Its application to nanosized core-shell latexes embedded in a polymethylmethacrylate matrix and semi-crystalline polypropylene/ethylene-propylene rubber blends is discussed.

Phototocatalytic Lithography of Poly(propylene sulfide) Block Copolymers: Toward High-Throughput Nanolithography for Biomolecular Arraying Applications

“…In other words, the contrast in the SEM is due to the differential way electrons interact with the polymer film (insulator) versus the gold substrate (conductor). Similar properties have been described on silicon backgrounds and with block co-polymers39,40,41. The regions where PPS-PEG has been removed therefore appear brighter due to the greater secondary electron signal from gold.…”

“…Similar properties have been described on silicon backgrounds and with block copolymers. [39][40][41] The regions where PPS-PEG has been removed therefore appear to be brighter because of the greater secondary electron signal from gold.…”

Synthesis and Characterisation of Acrylic Resin-Al Powder Composites Suitable for Additive Manufacturing

“…As with thermoplastics, resins are susceptible to deterioration during the observation process under an electron source. In fact, their low electrical conductivity makes them tend to accumulate negative charges on the surface that, among other factors, hinder their analysis by electron microscopy [33]. Therefore, analyses were carried out on selected compounds, including the pristine resin, an intermediate loaded compound (AR-Al15), and the sample with the highest percentage of Al in the composite series (AR-Al30).…”

Synthesis and characterization of enhanced conductivity acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene based composites suitable for fused filament fabrication

“…Possibly, the dispersion of Sn particles favours surface electrical conductivity, thus reducing this undesirable effect, common in the observation of polymers under electron microscopy. [ 66 ] During the acquisition of spectra, with a longer irradiation time, some areas of the polymer suffered the charging effect but to a lesser extent than in the case of ABS‐Al25 (without Sn addition).…”