Quantitative nanostructure characterization using atomic pair distribution functions obtained from laboratory electron microscopes

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a straightforward method to obtain reliable atomic pair distribution functions from nanomaterials using standard laboratory TEMs, enabling routine electron-based nanostructure characterization without special equipment.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, accessible approach for deriving electron PDFs from common TEMs, expanding nanomaterials analysis capabilities.

Findings

ePDFs can be obtained reliably from standard TEMs

The method does not require special attachments like energy filters

Opportunities and limitations of the approach are discussed

Abstract

Quantitatively reliable atomic pair distribution functions (PDFs) have been obtained from nanomaterials in a straightforward way from a standard laboratory transmission electron microscope (TEM). The approach looks very promising for making electron-derived PDFs (ePDFs) a routine step in the characterization of nanomaterials because of the ubiquity of such TEMs in chemistry and materials laboratories. No special attachments such as energy filters were required on the microscope. The methodology for obtaining the ePDFs is described as well as some opportunities and limitations of the method.