SMART Grids | NanoGridsTM
Fig 1. Functionalized SMART Grids enhance sample preparation for TEM by promoting affinity for target materials through surface charge and surface chemistry.
NanoGridsTM aid in sample preparation for slurries, solutions, suspensions, dry powder, coatings and thin films of nanomaterials. The active surface of NanoGridsTM promotes affinity for target materials (Figure 1) and eliminates artifacts from sample preparation such as agglomeration and drying effects. See our sample preparation video to learn more.
NanoGridsTM set a new standard for characterization of nanomaterials using TEM, SEM, AFM, EPMA, XPS, TOF-SIMS, fluorescence microscopy, and IR/Raman spectroscopy. NanoGridsTM are offered with a range of active surfaces to enable uniform dispersion of many different types of materials from powders to liquids to vapor phase deposition. The robust physical, chemical, and thermal properties of NanoGrids enable multistep processing and correlative characterization.
NanoGridsTM set a new standard for reproducible, repeatable and accurate metrology of nanomaterials and can be used in a wide range of applications to determine:
Fig 2. Bright Field TEM image of VariGold Nanoparticles deposited on a NanoPlus Grid.
- Particle size and size distribution
- Particle shape
- Particle orientation
- Surface chemistry
- Particle composition
- Particle density for coatings
- Film orientation
- Self-assembly properties
- Temperature-time transformations
Dune Sciences offers six different NanoGridsTM configurations to meet a broad range of materials including metals, oxides, soft materials (polymers), quantum dots, and carbonaceous materials.
| NanoGridsTM | ||||||
| Product Name | Description | Order | ||||
| NanoBasic Grids | Hydrophilic, non-functionalized SiO2 membrane grid. Stable to 1000°C. Examples: vapor deposition, slurries, non-specific deposition. |
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| NanoPlus Grids | Hydrophilic grids with a positive surface charge that shows strong affinity for negatively charged materials. Examples: Metal Citrate NPs, activated carbon, asbestos, oxide NPs |
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| NanoMinus Grids | Hydrophilic grids with a negative surface charge and show a strong affinity for positive charge on particles. Examples: Lysine-coated particles, quaternary amine surfaces. |
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| NanoNeutral Grids | Hydrophilic grids with alcohol surface to promote hydrogen bonding. Examples: dextran-coated Fe2O3, PEGylated Nanoparticles. |
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| NanoHydrophobic Grids | SiO2 grids functionalized with hydrophobic coating for use with organic solvents. Examples: Carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, alkane-thiol functionalized gold, FIB lamellae. |
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| NanoOxide Grids | SiO2 Grids with 10 nm Al2O3 or ZnO coatings. Examples: Catalyst development, MEMs research. |
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| LinkedON Kits | NanoGridsTM packaged with bifunctional linkers to covalently attach functionalized nanoparticles to grid surface. Coming Soon. | |
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| Custom Grids | Dune Sciences can produce custom grid surfaces and configurations to meet individual needs. | |
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