Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides direct structural information on nano‐structured materials and is popular as a characterization tool in soft matter and supramolecular chemistry. However, technical aspects of sample preparation are overlooked and erroneous image interpretations are regularly encountered in the literature. There are three most commonly used TEM methods as we derived from literature: drying, staining and cryo‐TEM, which are explained here with respect to their application, limitations and interpretation. Since soft matter chemistry relies on a lot of indirect evidence, the role of TEM for the correct evaluation of the nature of an assembly is very large. Mistakes in application and interpretation can therefore have enormous impact on the quality of present and future studies. We provide helpful background information of these three techniques, the information that can and cannot be derived from them and provide assistance in selecting the right technique for soft matter imaging. This essay warns against the use of drying and explains why. In general cryo‐TEM is by far the best suited method and many mistakes and over‐interpretations can be avoided by the use of this technique.
Highlights
The increased demand for Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data combined with easier access is leading to a growing number of inexmethods as we derived from literature: drying, staining and cryo-TEM, which perienced users who, lacking sufficient are explained here with respect to their application, limitations and interpretaknowledge on possibilities and limitation
Since soft matter chemistry relies on a lot of indirect evidence, the role of TEM for the correct evaluation of the nature of an assembly is very large
In general cryo-TEM is by far the best suited method and many mistakes and over-interpretations can be avoided by the use of this technique
Summary
Many electron microscopic sample preparation techniques have been developed since the first electron microscopes became available, each giving different information and requiring different interpretations. Considering the fact that cryo-TEM images the sample in its most native state, there is a promising increase in the use of cryo-TEM between best-cited literature and newest literature about vesicles This is not the case when searching for self-assembly. Linda Franken studied marine biology at the university of Groningen where she received master degree in 2011 She is currently finishing her PhD on single particle cryo-electron microscopy and image analysis. Marc Stuart pioneered on cryo-electron microscopy at the university of Maastricht under the guidance of Dr Peter Frederik, where he received his PhD in 1998 He continued cryo-electron microscopy at the university of Groningen with a main focus on the phase and aggregation behavior of new, responsive, amphiphiles and hydro-gellators from the Feringa laboratory.
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