A graphene oxide-carbon nanotube grid for high-resolution transmission electron microscopy of nanomaterials

Nanotechnology. 2011 Sep 23;22(38):385704. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/22/38/385704. Epub 2011 Aug 31.

Abstract

A novel grid for use in transmission electron microscopy is developed. The supporting film of the grid is composed of thin graphene oxide films overlying a super-aligned carbon nanotube network. The composite film combines the advantages of graphene oxide and carbon nanotube networks and has the following properties: it is ultra-thin, it has a large flat and smooth effective supporting area with a homogeneous amorphous appearance, high stability, and good conductivity. The graphene oxide-carbon nanotube grid has a distinct advantage when characterizing the fine structure of a mass of nanomaterials over conventional amorphous carbon grids. Clear high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images of various nanomaterials are obtained easily using the new grids.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Graphite / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / instrumentation*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nanostructures / ultrastructure*
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / ultrastructure*
  • Oxides / chemistry

Substances

  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Oxides
  • Graphite