Introduction
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to obtain close-up images of samples with depth enabling high quality, 3D depictions on a microscopic level. It has been historically used to identify samples of interest such as bacterial biofilm, microtexture surfaces, and even cancer cells for diagnosis.[1, 2, 3] The first high magnification SEM was reported in a journal in 1938 by Ardenne after developing the instrument after conceptualization; this instrument was novel for the time as it achieved magnification in an incomparable way to other traditional methods available at the time and eliminated the loss of light due to dispersion (chromatic distortion).[4] …show more content…
Although allotropes of carbon are capable of conducting electricity, the carbon tape does not conduct electricity.[12] The gold coating enables the conductivity of the CaCuSi4O10 on the tape. The sample was then placed on the sample holder, placed in a chamber, placed under vacuum, and underwent the process described above. A figure of the instrument is provided …show more content…
The individual methods vary in the use of electrons: SEM is based on the scattering of electrons, whereas TEM is based on the transmission of electrons.[5, 15] As a result, the samples must be adjusted accordingly to fit this need. The sample preparation requires the sample of interest to be a thin film and comparatively different than the SEM sample requirements described above. The TEM focuses on the focuses on the internal characteristics of a sample and requires significant power to penetrate the sample, but the SEM does not require such a power to achieve its purpose as it scans only the surface, making it advantageous over the TEM for surface analysis.[5, 16]
The researchers overcame the disadvantages of SEM by complementing the limited scope of data with other methods such as PXRD and Si NMR to confirm the optimal conditions required to form the CaCuSi4O10 in a hydrothermal process, which is particularly advantageous as it requires milder temperatures and pressures than traditional conventions of CaCuSi4O10 methodology.[17] The discovery of this novel methodology provides a new means to producing CaCuSi4O10 in a facile manner, and the unique characteristics of the pigment holds potential in areas such as medicine, laser technology, and