High-quality graphene supports for microspectroscopic techniques (HYPERGRAPH)

Transmission electron microscopy is an indispensable characterization tool for many applications in materials and life science. During the last 2 decades, enormous progress was made concerning aberration correctors, novel detectors and samples holders. Still, there is a lot of room for further improvement of TEM experiments by optimizing the carbon support grids that are hereby used. Graphene grids have the potential to bring TEM measurements of low-contrast and beam sensitive samples to the next level. Unfortunately, while being relatively expensive, the quality of commercially available grids is extremely poor. The aim of HYPERGRAPH is to produce high quality graphene grids yielding high coverage, extreme flatness and cleanness at a cost that is at least 4 times lower than what is the current standard. We will also improve throughput, reproducibility and shelf live. This project will bring a variety of TEM investigations to a next level. In this manner, HYPERGRAPH will be of crucial importance for the further development of (nano)materials in fields as broad as catalysis, sensing, medicine and energy applications.

Keywords:GRAPHENE, TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

Disciplines:Condensed matter physics and nanophysics not elsewhere classified