Pella’s flat support films promise enhanced nano/micro imaging

May 30, 2008 — Ted Pella Inc. has introduced what it calls “the next generation of silicon dioxide support films” for analytical electron microscopy: smooth, freestanding membranes that promise unsurpassed flatness. The 40nm thickness enables enhanced imaging capabilities for analytical TEM and other microscopy applications, the company says.

Pelco Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) support films are manufactured using the 200nm PELCO Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) membranes with a 0.5 x 0.5mm window as a platform. The window is patterned into 50 x 50 um small apertures and etched back to the thermally deposited silicon dioxide, leaving an amorphous, virtually wrinkle free 40nm thin SiO2 membrane suspended by a 200nm optically transparent Si3N4 support mesh. The design and the size of the support mesh has been optimized to provide flat silicon dioxide supports films with a size of 50 x 50um. This is comparable with the free areas available in 300/400 mesh TEM grids and is considered to be a practical size for many applications.

The Pelco Silicon Dioxide Support Films are useful for virtually all fields of nanotechnology research using platforms such as TEM, SEM and AFM. Since silicon dioxide is a well known and functionalized material it is an ideal active participant for dynamic experiments. It can also be used as a passive physical support for TEM imaging. The silicon dioxide films show excellent chemical, physical and thermal stability, the company says. Examples of applications are:

— Nanomaterial deposition and growth (temperature studies)
— Analysis of colloids, aerosols, nanoparticles
— Carbon free TEM analysis
— Catalyst research and development with dynamic chemical reactions
— Thin film analysis and characterization (direct deposition)
— Materials science
— Study of attached biological molecules

The Pelco Silicon Dioxide Membranes manufactured on round 3mm diameter frames with the EasyGrip edges, and are fully compatible with standard TEM holders. They are packaged under clean room conditions.

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