Sample Preparation

• Ultrathin Carbon Film on a Lacey Carbon Support Film
• https://www.tedpella.com/Support_Films_html/Support_Films_and_Substrates_Overview.aspx
• 01824 Ultrathin Carbon Film on Lacey Carbon Support Film, 400 mesh, Copper
• 160 PELCO®️ TEM Grid Storage Box

Put a small amount of powder in Eppendorf tub (enough to coat the bottom). Put one grid into the tube. Close the tube and shake for 1 minute. Open the tube and remove the grid. The grid should have enough material on it and is ready to be imaged in the TEM.

Things you will need:

• Ethanol (or water, IPA, or dimethyl carbonate)
  
• A small metal scooper
  
• A sonicator
  
• Several small vials that are centrifuge compatible
  
• A centrifuge
  
• Nanoparticles
  
• UltraThin 3 nm Carbon Grids
  
• Glass slide
  

1. Check the MSDS for mixture with ethanol (make sure the nanoparticles are NOT pyrophoric)

2. Use the small metal scooper to extract about ½-1 cms worth of nanoparticles

3. Place the nanoparticles in a small vial

4. Fill the small vial with ethanol up to the 1 cm below the rim

5. Sonicate the filled small vial for 10 minutes on high power (make sure to find an anti-node)

6. Centrifuge for 20 minute (make sure to balance the centrifuge)

7. Use a pipette to collect several uL of fluid just above the concentrated part at the bottom of the vial. See the arrow below . The pipette should just touch above dark part

8. Deposit 1 uL of fluid onto the dull (not shiny) side of the grid

9. Let the grid dry on a glass slide

10. Vacuum bake at 50-400 degree C for several hours if contamination is found of the surface

11. Plasma clean as needed