Three-dimensional atomic models from a single projection using Z-contrast imaging: verification by electron tomography and opportunities

A vital component to nanoparticle science will be the three dimensional (3-D) characterization of both structure and chemistry of these nanoparticles on their supports at the nanometer scale and below. to achieve this goal, quantitative Z-contrast and atomic resolution will provide essential information about their structure. Z-contrast imaging is ideal for imaging these large Z nanoparticles on low Z supports. in this proceedings, we present a quantitative Z-contrast method to determine number of atoms and a few examples of a combination of electron microscopy methods to gain structural insights into supported nanoparticle, such as Pt on different support materials, PtRu5 on C and Pt-Sn on SiO2.A relatively new and powerful method is to determine the number of atoms in a nanoparticle, by very high angle annular dark-field (HAADF) imaging or Z-contrast technique [1, 2]. We have shown that quantification of the absolute image intensity from very HAADF microscopy will provide the number of atoms in very small particles of high atomic number to ±2 atoms for Re6 nanoparticles supported on carbon [3].

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A Combined-Techniques Approach to Elucidating Crystalline Interface Atomic Structure

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-466-45 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 466 ◽

Author(s):

E. C. Dickey ◽

V. P. Dra Vid ◽

S. J. Pennycook ◽

P. D. Nellist ◽

D. J. Wallis

Keyword(s):

Atomic Structure ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Interface Structure ◽

Contrast Imaging ◽

Imaging And Spectroscopy ◽

Complementary Techniques ◽

Electron Imaging ◽

Z Contrast ◽

Interface Structures

ABSTRACTA case study is presented in which HREM, Z-Contrast Imaging and EELS are used as complementary techniques for elucidating interface structure. The NiO-ZrO2(cubic) interface is investigated along two orthogonal directions by these electron imaging and spectroscopy techniques to reveal the three-dimensional interface structure. Based on findings from this study, a protocol is suggested for using all three experimental techniques to gain a thorough understanding of interface structures.

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The Effect of Substrates / Ligands on Metal Nanocatalysts Investigated By Quantitative Z-Contrast Imaging and High Resolution Electron Microscopy

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-876-r9.4/p6.4 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 876 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Huiping Xu ◽

Laurent Menard ◽

Anatoly Frenkel ◽

Ralph Nuzzo ◽

Duane Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

High Resolution ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

High Resolution Electron Microscopy ◽

Dark Field ◽

Contrast Imaging ◽

Mixed Ligands ◽

Resolution Electron ◽

Annular Dark Field ◽

Z Contrast

AbstractOur direct density function-based simulations of Ru-, Pt- and mixed Ru-Pt clusters on carbon-based supports reveal that substrates can mediate the PtRu5 particles [1]. Oblate structure of PtRu5 on C has been found [2]. Nevertheless, the cluster-substrate interface interactions are still unknown. In this work, we present the applications of combinations of quantitative z-contrast imaging and high resolution electron microscopy in investigating the effect of different substrates and ligand shells on metal particles. Specifically, we developed a relatively new and powerful method to determine numbers of atoms in a nanoparticle as well as three-dimensional structures of particles including size and shape of particles on the substrates by very high angle (~96mrad) annular dark-field (HAADF) imaging [2-4] techniques. Recently, we successfully synthesize icosahedra Au13 clusters with mixed ligands and cuboctahedral Au13 cores with thiol ligands, which have been shown by TEM to be of sub-nanometer size (0.84nm) and highly monodisperse narrow distribution. X-ray absorption and UV-visible spectra indicate many differences between icosahedra and cuboctahedral Au13 cores. Particles with different ligands show different emissions and higher quantum efficiency has been found in Au11 (PPH3) SC12)2C12. We plan to deposit those ligands-protected gold clusters onto different substrates, such as, TiO2 and graphite, etc. Aforementioned analysis procedure will be performed for those particles on the substrates and results will be correlated with that of our simulations and activity properties. This approach will lead to an understanding of the cluster-substrates relationship for consideration in real applications.

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Complementary Z-Contrast Imaging and Digital Image Processing

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100118394 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 43 ◽

pp. 304-305

Author(s):

K. N. Colonna ◽

G. Oliphant

Keyword(s):

Image Processing ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Digital Image Processing ◽

Digital Image ◽

Biological Tissue ◽

Biological Imaging ◽

Tissue Preparation ◽

Contrast Imaging ◽

Imaging Tool ◽

Z Contrast

Harmonious use of Z-contrast imaging and digital image processing as an analytical imaging tool was developed and demonstrated in studying the elemental constitution of human and maturing rabbit spermatozoa. Due to its analog origin (Fig. 1), the Z-contrast image offers information unique to the science of biological imaging. Despite the information and distinct advantages it offers, the potential of Z-contrast imaging is extremely limited without the application of techniques of digital image processing. For the first time in biological imaging, this study demonstrates the tremendous potential involved in the complementary use of Z-contrast imaging and digital image processing.Imaging in the Z-contrast mode is powerful for three distinct reasons, the first of which involves tissue preparation. It affords biologists the opportunity to visualize biological tissue without the use of heavy metal fixatives and stains. For years biologists have used heavy metal components to compensate for the limited electron scattering properties of biological tissue.

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Practical electron tomography

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100140087 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 53 ◽

pp. 742-743

Author(s):

C.L. Woodcock

Keyword(s):

Electron Tomography ◽

Tomographic Reconstruction ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

3D Shape ◽

Computational Resources ◽

Shape Of Particles

Despite the potential of the technique, electron tomography has yet to be widely used by biologists. This is in part related to the rather daunting list of equipment and expertise that are required. Thanks to continuing advances in theory and instrumentation, tomography is now more feasible for the non-specialist. One barrier that has essentially disappeared is the expense of computational resources. In view of this progress, it is time to give more attention to practical issues that need to be considered when embarking on a tomographic project. The following recommendations and comments are derived from experience gained during two long-term collaborative projects.Tomographic reconstruction results in a three dimensional description of an individual EM specimen, most commonly a section, and is therefore applicable to problems in which ultrastructural details within the thickness of the specimen are obscured in single micrographs. Information that can be recovered using tomography includes the 3D shape of particles, and the arrangement and dispostion of overlapping fibrous and membranous structures.

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Atomic resolution Z-contrast imaging of bulk crystal surfaces in Scanning Reflection Electron Microscopy

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s042482010017520x ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 414-415

Author(s):

Z. L. Wang ◽

J. Bentley

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Elastic Scattering ◽

Dark Field ◽

Contrast Imaging ◽

Crystal Lattices ◽

Small Probe ◽

Scanning Transmission ◽

Annular Dark Field ◽

Image Position ◽

Z Contrast

The success of obtaining atomic-number-sensitive (Z-contrast) images in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) has shown the feasibility of imaging composition changes at the atomic level. This type of image is formed by collecting the electrons scattered through large angles when a small probe scans across the specimen. The image contrast is determined by two scattering processes. One is the high angle elastic scattering from the nuclear sites,where ϕNe is the electron probe function centered at bp = (Xp, yp) after penetrating through the crystal; F denotes a Fourier transform operation; D is the detection function of the annular-dark-field (ADF) detector in reciprocal space u. The other process is thermal diffuse scattering (TDS), which is more important than the elastic contribution for specimens thicker than about 10 nm, and thus dominates the Z-contrast image. The TDS is an average “elastic” scattering of the electrons from crystal lattices of different thermal vibrational configurations,

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Three-Dimensional reconstruction of isolated centrosomes by automated electron tomography

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100169286 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 52 ◽

pp. 310-311

Author(s):

M.B. Braunfeld ◽

M. Moritz ◽

B.M. Alberts ◽

J.W. Sedat ◽

D.A. Agard

Keyword(s):

Electron Tomography ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Vital Role ◽

Complex Nature ◽

Animal Cells ◽

Microtubule Organizing Center ◽

Nucleation Sites ◽

Dimensional Reconstruction ◽

Organizing Center ◽

Resolution Model

In animal cells, the centrosome functions as the primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC). As such the centrosome plays a vital role in determining a cell's shape, migration, and perhaps most importantly, its division. Despite the obvious importance of this organelle little is known about centrosomal regulation, duplication, or how it nucleates microtubules. Furthermore, no high resolution model for centrosomal structure exists.We have used automated electron tomography, and reconstruction techniques in an attempt to better understand the complex nature of the centrosome. Additionally we hope to identify nucleation sites for microtubule growth.Centrosomes were isolated from early Drosophila embryos. Briefly, after large organelles and debris from homogenized embryos were pelleted, the resulting supernatant was separated on a sucrose velocity gradient. Fractions were collected and assayed for centrosome-mediated microtubule -nucleating activity by incubating with fluorescently-labeled tubulin subunits. The resulting microtubule asters were then spun onto coverslips and viewed by fluorescence microscopy.

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High-resolution z-contrast imaging of semiconductor interfaces

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100154317 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 47 ◽

pp. 468-469

Author(s):

S. J. Pennycook

Keyword(s):

High Resolution ◽

Phase Contrast ◽

Contrast Imaging ◽

Compositional Modulation ◽

Semiconductor Interfaces ◽

Complex Figure ◽

Thin Region ◽

Stem Image ◽

Annular Detector ◽

Z Contrast

Using a high-angle annular detector on a high-resolution STEM it is possible to form incoherent images of a crystal lattice characterized by strong atomic number or Z contrast. Figure 1 shows an epitaxial Ge film on Si(100) grown by oxidation of Ge-implanted Si. The image was obtained using a VG Microscopes' HB501 STEM equipped with an ultrahigh resolution polepiece (Cs ∽1.2 mm, demonstrated probe FWHM intensity ∽0.22 nm). In both crystals the lattice is resolved but that of Ge shows much brighter allowing the interface to be located exactly and interface steps to be resolved (arrowed). The interface was indistinguishable in the phase-contrast STEM image from the same region, and even at higher resolution the location of the interface is complex. Figure 2 shows a thin region of an MBE-grown ultrathin super-lattice (Si8Ge2)100. The expected compositional modulation would show as one bright row of dots from the 2 Ge monolayers separated by 4 rows of lighter Si columns. The image shows clearly that strain-induced interdiffusion has occurred on the monolayer scale.

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