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Morphology Observation of Latex Particles with Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy by a Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Embedding Combined with RuO4 Staining Method

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2013

Xiang Geng ,
Myra Xuemei Zhai ,
Tong Sun  and
Greg Meyers
Xiang Geng*
Affiliation:
Analytical Sciences, Dow Chemical (China) Co. Ltd, 936 Zhangheng Road, Pudong District, Shanghai 201203, China
Myra Xuemei Zhai
Affiliation:
Analytical Sciences, Dow Chemical (China) Co. Ltd, 936 Zhangheng Road, Pudong District, Shanghai 201203, China
Tong Sun
Affiliation:
Analytical Sciences, Dow Chemical (China) Co. Ltd, 936 Zhangheng Road, Pudong District, Shanghai 201203, China
Greg Meyers
Affiliation:
Analytical Sciences, Building 1897, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI 48667, USA
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: XGeng@dow.com
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Abstract

Imaging of latex particles, especially those with low glass transition temperature (Tg) has been a challenging issue. Different sample preparation methods for characterization of the morphology of a poly(n-butyl acrylate)/polystyrene two-phase latex are discussed and compared in this study. A method via hydroxyethyl cellulose embedding combined with ruthenium tetraoxide (RuO4) staining for scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) observation is developed. By using this method, the spherical shape of latex particles can be maintained without deformation. The degree of incorporation of RuO4 into latex particles and cellulose matrix is different, which makes latex particles readily identifiable from cellulose matrix under STEM. A series of latexes with different structures such as copolymer latex and organic-inorganic hybrid latex were also successfully investigated by this method. The results indicate this specimen preparation method can be applied to study the morphology of a wide range of latex systems.

Keywords

latex morphologystructured latexscanning transmission electron microscopyhydroxyethyl celluloseruthenium tetraoxide stainingatomic force microscope
Type
Materials Applications
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 19 , Issue 2 , April 2013 , pp. 319 - 326
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2013

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