Fundamental TEM/EELS ( transmission electron microscope ) / (electron energy loss spectroscopy) observation report of Dglass Coat sample
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
2017/03/14
Experiment purpose and methods
Conduct basic TEM / EELS observation of a cross section Dglass Coat polymer film and obtain insights on the toughness and mechanism of the film
Experimental procedure
- Coat a pure Fe thin plate: drip coating onto plate → spread with a microfiber cloth in a concentric motion → spray with pure water → repeat application two more times
- Etch obliquely using a focused ion beam (FIB) JIB-4000 (30 kV), creating a thin TEM sample (figure below)
- Transmission electron microscope (TEM) / electron energy loss spectrometer (EELS) Observation: FEI Tecnai G2 F30 (300kV) used, Gatan Enifina used for EELS, beam focusing diameter 0.7nnm, measurement shell, Sil2.3Ck, FEL2.3
Fe spectrum: Fe (iron) diffuses to the surface of Dglass Coat
Performs mutual ion exchange and sucks up molecules on the Fe plate.
Chemical bonding is accomplished with coating anchored to plate
Si spectrum: Glass containing SiO2 (silicon dioxide) was observed.
As in the case of the Fe spectrum, since the molecules are chemically bonded by their ion-exchanges with each other, it was observed that the concentration of the glass components increased in density from the bottom layer.
The ion exchange between the coating and the coated surface created a solid bond strengthening the material being coated.
