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Materials Science
Polymer Research
Polymer research enabled by electron microscopy techniques.
Polymers play a vital role in our daily lives, making up everything from household products and textiles to transportation, aviation, and aerospace components that move the world. As the polymer microstructure determines the overall performance of these vital functional products, they must be studied and optimized at corresponding scales.
Electron microscopy (EM) plays an indispensable role in the characterization and analysis of polymers. It provides a range of critical information such as; the morphology and composition of new materials, the identity of foreign elements (to trace contamination in the production process), and the failure analysis of components (enabling the creation of improved materials with better performance).
Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a comprehensive solution for polymer analysis across our entire portfolio, including X-ray microtomography (microCT), desktop- and floor-model scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Thermo Scientific DualBeam instruments (focused ion beam-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Together these tools easily fulfill the polymer characterization needs of R&D, technical service, and near-line quality control laboratories.
3D reconstruction of a polymer filter membrane. Data acquired on the Thermo Scientific Apreo Volumescope SEM with a nominal slicing thickness of 50 nm. Backscatter electron images were obtained under a 50 Pa environment.
Low keV image of polymer beads with metallic nanoparticles. The secondary electron image shows the morphology of the polymer beads.
Low keV image of polymer beads with metallic nanoparticles. The backscattered electron image reveals iron oxide nanoparticles on the beads.
Low vacuum mode enables EDS mapping of an uncoated glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) fracture surface. Elemental mapping shows that the matrix is carbon rich and the glass fibers are a mixture of silicon, aluminum and calcium oxides.
Image showing the comprehensive morphology of plain paper containing additives and fibers, generated by combining signal from two separate detectors. Color indicates elemental composition whereas image contrast reveals the material topography.
TEM low-dose imaging of block copolymer under cryogenic condition. The copolymer micelle is in water, with sphere-sphere packing assembled from blends of PAA-PI-PS and PAA-PS. Sample courtesy of Prof. Thomas Epps, III, University of Delaware.
Low keV image of polymer beads with metallic nanoparticles. The secondary electron image shows the morphology of the polymer beads.
Low keV image of polymer beads with metallic nanoparticles. The backscattered electron image reveals iron oxide nanoparticles on the beads.
Low vacuum mode enables EDS mapping of an uncoated glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) fracture surface. Elemental mapping shows that the matrix is carbon rich and the glass fibers are a mixture of silicon, aluminum and calcium oxides.
Image showing the comprehensive morphology of plain paper containing additives and fibers, generated by combining signal from two separate detectors. Color indicates elemental composition whereas image contrast reveals the material topography.
TEM low-dose imaging of block copolymer under cryogenic condition. The copolymer micelle is in water, with sphere-sphere packing assembled from blends of PAA-PI-PS and PAA-PS. Sample courtesy of Prof. Thomas Epps, III, University of Delaware.
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