Determination of the length of single-walled carbon nanotubes by scanning electron microscopy

Stefania Sandoval,Magdalena Kierkowicz,Elzbieta Pach,Belén Ballesteros,Gerard Tobias

doi:10.1016/j.mex.2018.11.004

Abstract

A methodology is presented to determine the length of well individualized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Accurate measurements on wide areas of the sample can be achieved in an easy, fast and trustworthy manner. We have tested several supports and solvents to optimize the dispersion of SWCNTs, as well as the SEM imaging conditions. The optimal methodology goes via dispersion of the sample in ortho-dichlorobenzene, deposition onto a continuous carbon film supported on a copper TEM grid, and SEM imaging at 2?kV in secondary electrons mode using a through-in-lens detector.•Individualization of SWCNTs is achieved by dispersion of SWCNTs in ortho-dichlorobenzene and deposition onto TEM grids•Individual SWCNTs are imaged by SEM•Length determination by SEM is as precise as AFM

Highlights

Method ArticleDetermination of the length of single-walled carbon nanotubes by scanning electron microscopy
The optimal methodology goes via dispersion of the sample in ortho-dichlorobenzene, deposition onto a continuous carbon film supported on a copper transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grid, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging at 2 kV in secondary electrons mode using a through-in-lens detector
In the present study we have focused on SWCNTs since this material is more difficult to disperse and to image by SEM

Summary

Method Article

Determination of the length of single-walled carbon nanotubes by scanning electron microscopy. ABSTRACTA methodology is presented to determine the length of well individualized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We have tested several supports and solvents to optimize the dispersion of SWCNTs, as well as the SEM imaging conditions. The optimal methodology goes via dispersion of the sample in ortho-dichlorobenzene, deposition onto a continuous carbon film supported on a copper TEM grid, and SEM imaging at 2 kV in secondary electrons mode using a through-in-lens detector. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Length determination of carbon nanotubes Kierkowicz M, Pach E, Santidrián A, Sandoval S, Tobías-Rossell E, Kalbác M, et al Comparative study of shortening and cutting strategies of single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes assessed by scanning electron microscopy.

Method details

Method validation

Conclusions