Real-time visualisation of fast nanoscale processes during liquid reagent mixing by liquid cell transmission electron microscopy
Liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM) is a powerful technique for investigating crystallisation dynamics with nanometre spatial resolution. However, probing phenomena occurring in liquids while mixing two precursor solutions has proven extremely challenging, requiring sophisticated liquid cell designs. Here, we demonstrate that introducing and withdrawing solvents in sequence makes it possible to maintain optimal imaging conditions while mixing liquids in a commercial liquid cell. We succeeded in visualising a fast nanoscale crystallisation mechanism when an organic molecule of R-BINOL-CN dissolved in chloroform interacts with methanol. The scanning transmission electron microscopy images recorded in real-time during the interaction of the two volatile solvents reveal the formation of chain-like structures of R-BINOL-CN particles, whereas they coalesce to form single large particles when methanol is absent. Our approach of mixing liquids establishes a platform for novel LCTEM studies of a wide range of electron-beam-sensitive materials, including drug molecules, polymers and molecular amphiphiles.
Authors
- H. Hugo Pérez Garza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5597-7914)
- Shibabrata Basak (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4331-4742)
- Junbeom Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2548-2985)
- Sairam K. Malladi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0322-8137)
- Hongyu Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5072-7019)
- Govind Ummethala
- Amir H. Tavabi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1551-885X)
- Jada Ravi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0985-9028)
- Rafal E. Dunin–Borkowski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8082-0647)
- Shourya Dutta‐Gupta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5680-3847)
- Rüdiger‐A. Eichel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0013-6325)
- Robert Hooley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3515-4195)
Institutions
- Tescan (Czechia) (CZ)
- Forschungszentrum Jülich (DE)
- Ernst Ruska Centre (DE)
- University of Hyderabad (IN)
- Denssolutions (Netherlands) (NL)
- Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Communications Chemistry
- Published
- 2025-01-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-025-01407-3
- Citations
- 8
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 20.39
Funders
- Defence Research and Development Organisation
- Japan International Cooperation Agency
- Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration
- Science and Engineering Research Board