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

原子结构、电子和化学模型是现代材料科学的基础，主要通过分析静态样品在常规高真空条件下获得数据。然而，许多材料的性能和功能关键取决于它们所处的环境条件。因此，需要在受控的连续动态条件下进行结构、组成和性能的相关分析，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，并最终通过设计创造纳米材料。这一建议的总体愿景是满足在环境条件下动态过程条件下具有单原子灵敏度的完全集成的纳米材料分析的需要。其目的是为英国研究界提供最先进的工具，以解决支撑EPSRC从制造、未来到健康和环境等一系列研究主题的突出材料问题。为了确保样本数据的完整性，需要进行完全原位和操作式操作。在实践中，这从样品合成或活化延伸到随后的操作、反应或其他过程或测试。因此，寻求建立一种最先进的、像差校正的STEM仪器(200至40千伏)，具有0.08 nm的图像分辨率和全面的分析功能，利用电子能量损失谱(EELS)、相关成像滤光片(GIF)、直接电子检测和元素分析，使用变革型高灵敏度(和接受角)硅漂移检测(SDD)能量色散(EDX)光谱仪进行化学和电子状态分析。新的仪器将在约克进行修改，以增加独特的功能，与该小组领导的研究保持一致。方法和一些硬件将从约克的原始概念验证和陈旧(2005年)第一代仪器转移过来。在约克会议上推广的开孔“显微镜气体”概念的优势预计将在较低的加速电压(80和40千伏)下特别显著，以减少由于样品-电子束相互作用造成的损害。新的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、操作和管理，并与国家SuperSTEM和ePSIC实验室建立联系，包括这两个组织的CI代表，以寻求建议和用户指导，并积极协助外部推广以及战略和战术管理。广泛的网络将增加组织新能力的框架，但不会排除更多特别的双边互动；部分原因是为了促进这种“组织”核心所需的核心科学。拟建的环境偏差矫正STEM卓越中心的科学效益将极大地促进英国目前在能源应用、信息技术/物联网和催化方面的纳米材料研究活动。关键的贡献将是对纳米材料的基础理解，环境的相互作用使人们能够通过原子成像和分析在材料制造过程中或在行动中发生的动态过程。该项目将通过更好地了解社会、科学、经济和环境挑战和机遇，为英国和世界的未来做出重大贡献。

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.