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Characterisation of Soft Condensed Matter and Delicate Materials Using Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM)
Author(s) -
Stokes D. J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
advanced engineering materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.938
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1527-2648
pISSN - 1438-1656
DOI - 10.1002/1527-2648(200103)3:3<126::aid-adem126>3.0.co;2-b
Subject(s) - environmental scanning electron microscope , soft matter , materials science , scanning electron microscope , nanotechnology , wetting , soft materials , characterization (materials science) , swelling , coating , colloid , composite material , chemical engineering , engineering
Soft condensed matter and delicate specimens represent a wide class of materials including foods, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, polymeric coatings, gels, colloidal dispersions, emulsions and other complex fluids, biological specimens, and biomaterials. However, observational studies of soft condensed matter and delicate specimens in general have traditionally been restricted by the available experimental techniques. The recent advent of the environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) enables insulating and/or moist specimens, even liquid mixtures, to be observed directly, without the need for conventional EM preparation techniques such as freezing/drying and metallic coating. This represents a significant technological advance, extending electron microscopic capabilities to the study of soft condensed matter and delicate specimens in their native states. In addition, in situ experiments may be carried out including mechanical deformation and the observation of dynamic processes such as wetting and swelling behaviour of materials, thermal responses, the effects of hydration, dehydration and rehydration, and film‐formation. A brief description of ESEM is presented, along with selected examples to highlight the potential usefulness of this unique instrument.