A Versatile and Reproducible Cryo-sample Preparation Methodology for Atom Probe Studies.

Microsc Microanal

Mikrostrukturphysik und Legierungsdesign, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Düsseldorf 40237, Germany.

Published: December 2023


Category Ranking

98%

Total Visits

921

Avg Visit Duration

2 minutes

Citations

20

Article Abstract

Repeatable and reliable site-specific preparation of specimens for atom probe tomography (APT) at cryogenic temperatures has proven challenging. A generalized workflow is required for cryogenic specimen preparation including lift-out via focused ion beam and in situ deposition of capping layers, to strengthen specimens that will be exposed to high electric field and stresses during field evaporation in APT and protect them from environment during transfer into the atom probe. Here, we build on existing protocols and showcase preparation and analysis of a variety of metals, oxides, and supported frozen liquids and battery materials. We demonstrate reliable in situ deposition of a metallic capping layer that significantly improves the atom probe data quality for challenging material systems, particularly battery cathode materials which are subjected to delithiation during the atom probe analysis itself. Our workflow design is versatile and transferable widely to other instruments.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/micmic/ozad120DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

atom probe
20
situ deposition
8
atom
5
probe
5
versatile reproducible
4
reproducible cryo-sample
4
preparation
4
cryo-sample preparation
4
preparation methodology
4
methodology atom
4

Similar Publications

Traditional electrochemical redox assessments offer insights into material properties for charge storage and catalytic kinetics but often fail to link these to specific surfaces, obscuring the structure-performance relationship. Here, we reveal the facet-dependent electrochemical redox behaviors and their connection to oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysis using Co(OH) nanosheets and nanorods as models. By correlating redox charge storage capacity and kinetics with distinct exposed surfaces, we uncover diffusion-controlled redox processes on the basal surface and non-diffusion-controlled behavior on the lateral surface and further utilize the distinct redox charging kinetics to differentiate the two.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Computational approaches within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) are used to probe the effects of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the antioxidant potency of gallic acid (HGA), which is a prototypical polyphenolic acid. Four small gold clusters, Au with = 2, 3, 6, and 11, are employed as simple models to simulate the surface of AuNPs. The antioxidant capacity is evaluated through the ability to donate a hydrogen atom and to transfer an electron, which are characterized by the bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) and ionization energy (IE) of the antioxidant, respectively.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A novel aggregation-induced emission (AIE) system with superior performance was successfully developed through local chemical modification from thiophene to thiophene sulfone. This approach, leveraging easily accessible tetraphenylthiophene precursors, dramatically enhances the photophysical properties in a simple oxidation step. Notably, the representative 2,3,4,5-tetraphenylthiophene sulfone (3c) demonstrates remarkable solid-state emission characteristics with a fluorescence quantum yield of 72% and an AIE factor of 240, substantially outperforming its thiophene analog.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) significantly impact air quality as photochemical smog precursors and health hazards. Catalytic oxidation is a leading VOC abatement method but suffers from catalyst deactivation due to metal sintering and competitive adsorption in complex mixtures. Strong metal-support interactions (SMSIs) provide atomic level control of interfacial electronic and geometric structures.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Propargyl (∙C3H3) and butadienyl (∙i-C4H5) radical-radical reactions well-skipping to vinylcyclopentadienyl radical and toluene: A theoretical and kinetic modeling study.

J Chem Phys

September 2025

MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Spectral Analysis and Functional Probes, College of Biophotonics, School of Optoelectronic Science and Engineering, South China Normal Un

Propargyl radical (•C3H3) and butadienyl radical (•i-C4H5) are two crucial intermediates in combustion and astrochemistry, particularly in the formation of C7H8 aromatics such as toluene. However, the precise formation mechanisms of the first-ring aromatics through C3 + C4 reactions have remained ambiguous. This study explores the detailed potential energy surface (PES) of C7H8 at the •C3H3 + •i-C4H5 entrance reaction channel, alongside conducting kinetic calculations and modeling.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF