Aberration-Corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope with atomic resolution spectroscopy under controlled environmental conditions: AC-eSTEM

在受控环境条件下具有原子分辨率光谱的像差校正扫描透射电子显微镜：AC-eSTEM

• 批准号: EP/S033394/1
• 负责人: Vlado Lazarov
• 金额: $ 414.18万
• 依托单位: University of York
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2019 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FS033394%2F1
• 关键词: Aberration; Corrected; Scanning; Transmission; Electron

Atomistic structural, electronic and chemical models are the basis of modern material science, with data acquired under regular high vacuum conditions by analysis of mainly static specimens. However, the properties and hence functionality of many materials crucially depend on the environmental conditions to which they are exposed. Accordingly, relevant analyses of structure, composition and properties need to be conducted under controlled continuous dynamic conditions and the vision of this project is to enable and fully integrate the capabilities needed to accomplish these goals to understand nanomaterial-environment interactions, and ultimately to create nanomaterials by design. The overarching vision of this proposal is to fill the need for the fully integrated nanomaterials analysis with single atom sensitivity under dynamic process conditions in environmental conditions. The aim is to provide the state of the art tool available to UK research community to address the outstanding materials problems that underpin a number of EPSRC research themes from manufacturing the future to health and environment. Fully in situ and operando operations are needed to ensure the integrity of sample data. In practice this extends from sample synthesis or activation, through the ensuing operations, reactions or other processes or tests. Hence, resources are sought to establish a state-of-the-art, aberration corrected STEM instrument (200 to 40 kV) with 0.08 nm image resolution and comprehensive analytical functions for chemical and electronic state analysis with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), related imaging filter (GIF), direct electron detection, and elemental analysis with a transformational high sensitivity (and acceptance angle) silicon drift detection (SDD) energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectrometer. The new instrument will be modified at York to include added unique functionalities, along the lines of the research led by the group. Methods and some hardware will be transferred from the original proof-of-concept and aged (2005) first generation instrument at York. The advantages of the open aperture 'gas-in-microscope' concept promoted at York are expected to be especially significant at the lower accelerating voltages of 80 and 40 kV to be available to reduce damage due to specimen-electron beam interactions. The new instrument and attendant expertise will be organised, actively promoted, operated and managed as a new national capability with connections to the national SuperSTEM and ePSIC laboratories, including CI representation from both organisations, for advice and user guidance and active assistance external promotion and strategic as well as tactical management. Wide networking will add to the framework for organising the new capability but will not exclude more ad hoc bilateral interactions; in part to promote the core science needed at the heart of such an 'organisation'. The scientific benefits of the proposed centre for excellence in environmental aberration corrected STEM will greatly contribute to the current research initiatives in the UK related to nanomaterials for energy applications, information technologies/internet of things, and catalysis. The key contribution will be in fundamental understanding of the nanomaterials environment interactions enables trough atomistic imaging and analysis of the dynamic processes that take place either during material fabrication or in action. The project will make a significant contribution to what the future of the UK and of the world will look like; through better understanding of societal, scientific, economic, and environmental challenges and opportunities.

原子结构、电子和化学模型是现代材料科学的基础，通过分析主要静态样本在常规高真空条件下获取数据。然而，许多材料的特性和功能在很大程度上取决于它们所暴露的环境条件。因此，需要在受控的连续动态条件下进行结构、成分和性能的相关分析，该项目的愿景是实现并充分整合实现这些目标所需的能力，以了解纳米材料与环境的相互作用，并最终创造纳米材料通过设计。该提案的总体愿景是满足在环境条件下的动态过程条件下对具有单原子灵敏度的完全集成纳米材料分析的需求。其目的是为英国研究界提供最先进的工具，以解决突出的材料问题，这些问题支撑着 EPSRC 从制造未来到健康和环境等一系列研究主题。需要完全原位和操作操作来确保样本数据的完整性。实际上，这从样品合成或激活延伸到随后的操作、反应或其他过程或测试。因此，我们寻求资源来建立最先进的像差校正 STEM 仪器（200 至 40 kV），具有 0.08 nm 图像分辨率和全面的分析功能，可通过电子能量损失光谱 (EELS) 进行化学和电子状态分析，相关成像滤光片 (GIF)、直接电子检测以及使用转换高灵敏度（和接受角）硅漂移检测 (SDD) 能量色散 X 射线 (EDX) 光谱仪进行元素分析。新仪器将在约克进行修改，以按照该小组领导的研究的思路添加独特的功能。方法和一些硬件将从约克的原始概念验证和老化（2005）第一代仪器中转移。约克推广的开放孔径“显微镜内气体”概念的优势预计在 80 和 40 kV 的较低加速电压下尤其显着，可减少由于样品与电子束相互作用造成的损坏。新仪器和相关专业知识将作为一种新的国家能力进行组织、积极推广、运营和管理，并与国家 SuperSTEM 和 ePSIC 实验室建立联系，包括来自两个组织的 CI 代表，以提供建议和用户指导以及积极协助外部推广和战略以及战术管​​理。广泛的网络将增加组织新能力的框架，但不会排除更多临时的双边互动；部分原因是为了促进这种“组织”核心所需的核心科学。拟议的环境畸变校正 STEM 卓越中心的科学效益将极大地促进英国当前与能源应用、信息技术/物联网和催化相关的纳米材料的研究计划。关键贡献将在于对纳米材料环境相互作用的基本理解，从而能够通过原子成像和分析材料制造期间或使用过程中发生的动态过程。该项目将为英国和世界的未来做出重大贡献；通过更好地了解社会、科学、经济和环境挑战和机遇。