SEM: Sample Mounting for Nanoparticles or Particles in Suspension
Channel: Microscopy Australia
Date: 2020-06-01

Welcome to our series describing basic mounting techniques for some common categories of SEM specimens. In this video, we demonstrate a simple way to mount nanoparticulate samples or particles in suspension for SEM.

Note: 
The procedures described in this series are a good starting point for samples of this type, using consumables and equipment that can be obtained at the UNSW Electron Microscope Unit. Refinements may need to be made depending on the nature of the sample, configuration of the SEM, your specific analytical needs, and/or the materials available in your own facility.
Always follow health and safety protocols as described in your material's safety data sheet (SDS).

For more tailored advice, consult staff at the UNSW EMU, your node of Microscopy Australia, or the electron microscopy facility at your own institution.

While this method does not prevent some aggregation of particles, it does produce areas of fine particle distribution that can be effectively targeted for SEM imaging. When imaging samples prepared as described here, avoid areas where particles have agglomerated and seek out areas where the particles are distributed individually or in a fine layer.

Work Health and Safety Note:
Nanomaterials present a range of potential hazards that include: physiological effects (due to exposure through inhalation, ingestion, and/or skin penetration), explosion and fire (due to high surface area and reactivity of nanomaterials, particularly in the formation of dust clouds), adverse chemical reactions with incompatible material(s), and environmental contamination. 
To help control the associated risks, this SEM mounting procedure includes: use of gloves and a ducted fume cupboard, restricted amount of dry sample (≤0.1g), wetting of dry samples, and hazardous waste disposal.

UNSW EMU homepage: https://www.analytical.unsw.edu.au/fa...

Online Microscopy Training & SEM Simulator: https://myscope.training/

Video by Karen Privat

This video is part of a three-part series, watch the other parts of the series:
Sample mounting for SEM: Bulk Samples
https://youtu.be/vxaQls0t0mU

Sample mounting for SEM: Powdered Samples
https://youtu.be/eI4CaQ8xp8E


These videos provide guidance only. Local work health and safety protocols should always take precedence when you undertake any lab procedures in your own facility. Some of the videos show workflows for specific instruments and their content should not be taken as specific instructions for other types of instruments.

Sample mounting for SEM: Nanoparticles or Particles in Suspension
https://youtu.be/eiPUGM9AjsM