Cryo-TEM and Image Analysis of Polymer Nanoparticle Dispersions

International audienceThe interest in aqueous-based resins for various applications such as coating or in the pharmaceutical field has recently increased due to the need for constant cost reductions and the necessity to control emissions of volatile organic compounds. As most polymers used in these applications are water insoluble, aqueous- based resins generally contain particles in suspension. The average particle size and size distribution are essential data on which the stability and properties of the dispersions depend [1]. Light scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) have proved to be complementary techniques to characterise various natural [2] or synthetic [3] polymer nanoparticles dispersed in water. Light scattering is non-destructive and provides fast measurements in a wide range of particle size. However, it cannot analyse double populations, large distributions, absorbent materials, or mixtures of substances with different densities [4]. In this study, cryo-TEM and image analysis were combined to characterise a variety of aqueous polyurethane dispersions. The results were compared with those obtained from dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments

Transmission Electron Microscopy for the Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are high aspect ratio nanomaterials readily obtained from cellulose microfibrils via strong acid hydrolysis. They feature unique properties stemming from their surface chemistry, their crystallinity, and their three-dimensional structure. CNCs have been exploited in a number of applications such as optically active coatings, nanocomposite materials, or aerogels. CNC size and shape determination is an important challenge and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is one of the most powerful tools to achieve this goal. Because of the specifics of TEM imaging, CNCs require special attention. They have a low density, are highly susceptible to electron beam damage, and easily aggregate. Specific techniques for both imaging and sampling have been developed over the past decades. In this review, we describe the CNCs, their properties, their applications, and the need for a precise characterization of their morphology and size distribution. We also describe in detail the techniques used to record quality images of CNCs. Finally, we survey the literature to provide readers with specific examples of TEM images of CNCs

Simulation de cristaux de cellulose par dynamique moléculaire

Les propriétés structurales de quatre types de cellulose cristalline (Ia, Ib, II et IIII), incluant détails structuraux du coeur cristallin et des surfaces, comportement thermique, propriétés mécaniques et inter-conversions allomorphiques, ont été étudiées par des simulations de dynamique moléculaire (MD). Alors que la dynamique moléculaire est supposée reproduire correctement le monde réel, je me suis rendu compte que les paramètres des mailles cristallines élémentaires ainsi que la transition de phase induite par la température ne sont pas reproduites avec une précision satisfaisante. Dans l'objectif de rendre la modélisation plus fiable à compléter les expériences, j'ai dans un premier temps identifié les origines du désaccord et dans un second temps proposé de meilleurs paramètres pour les champs de forces. En utilisant ces paramètres, les caractéristiques structurales des quatre allomorphes de la cellulose sont bien mieux reproduites. Finalement, j'ai utilisé ces paramètres optimisés afin de modéliser d'une façon plus fiable certaines propriétés des cristaux de cellulose : incluant propriétés de surface, liaisons hydrogènes et caractéristiques mécaniques clefs.The structural and physical properties of four types of crystalline cellulose (Ia, Ib, II and IIII), including the structural details of the bulk and at the surfaces, thermal behavior, mechanical properties as well as the allomorph conversion, were studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Although simulations are in principle designed to reproduce the real world, I realized that unit cell parameters or properties such as temperature-induced phase transition were not reproduced to the precision we expected. In order to make MD more reliable to complement experiments, I first identified the origin of those discrepancies and second I proposed improved force field parameters. By using the optimized parameters, the structural characteristics of the four cellulose allomorphs were better reproduced. Finally, I used these optimized parameters to provide more reliable estimates of some structural characteristics of cellulosic crystals, such as surface properties and hydrogen bonding patterns together with key mechanical properties.SAVOIE-SCD - Bib.électronique (730659901) / SudocGRENOBLE1/INP-Bib.électronique (384210012) / SudocGRENOBLE2/3-Bib.électronique (384219901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Cryo-TEM and Image Analysis of Polymer Nanoparticle Dispersions

The interest in aqueous-based resins for various applications such as coating or in the pharmaceutical field has recently increased due to the need for constant cost reductions and the necessity to control emissions of volatile organic compounds. As most polymers used in these applications are water insoluble, aqueous- based resins generally contain particles in suspension. The average particle size and size distribution are essential data on which the stability and properties of the dispersions depend [1]. Light scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) have proved to be complementary techniques to characterise various natural [2] or synthetic [3] polymer nanoparticles dispersed in water. Light scattering is non-destructive and provides fast measurements in a wide range of particle size. However, it cannot analyse double populations, large distributions, absorbent materials, or mixtures of substances with different densities [4]. In this study, cryo-TEM and image analysis were combined to characterise a variety of aqueous polyurethane dispersions. The results were compared with those obtained from dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments

Polyglucosan Body Structure in Lafora Disease

Abnormal carbohydrate structures known as polyglucosan bodies (PGBs) are associated with neurodegenerative disorders, glycogen storage diseases (GSDs), and aging. A hallmark of the GSD Lafora disease (LD), a fatal childhood epilepsy caused by recessive mutations in the EPM2A or EPM2B genes, are cytoplasmic PGBs known as Lafora bodies (LBs). LBs result from aberrant glycogen metabolism and drive disease progression. They are abundant in brain, muscle and heart of LD patients and Epm2a-/- and Epm2b-/- mice. LBs and PGBs are histologically reminiscent of starch, semicrystalline carbohydrates synthesized for glucose storage in plants. In this study, we define LB architecture, tissue-specific differences, and dynamics. We propose a model for how small polyglucosans aggregate to form LBs. LBs are very similar to PGBs of aging and other neurological disorders, and so these studies have direct relevance to the general understanding of PGB structure and formation

Morphological and Structural Aspects of α-Glucan Particles from Electron Microscopy Observations

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Evolution structurale du joint de grains #SIGMA#=9(122) deforme, dans le silicium. Etude par microscopie electronique a haute resolution

SIGLEAvailable from INIST (FR), Document Supply Service, under shelf-number : T 80628 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

HREM study of self-accommodated thermal ε-martensite in an Fe-Mn-Si-Cr-Ni shape memory alloy

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