Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a unique and powerful tool for observation of nanoparticles. However, due to the uneven spatial distribution of particles conventionally dried on copper grids, TEM is rarely employed to evaluate the spatial distribution of nanoparticles in aqueous solutions. Here, we present a microchip nanopipet with a narrow chamber width for sorting nanoparticles from blood and preventing the aggregation of the particles during the drying process, enabling quantitative analysis of their aggregation/agglomeration states and the particle concentration in aqueous solutions. This microchip is adaptable to all commercial TEM holders. Such a nanopipet proves to be a simple and convenient sampling device for TEM image-based quantitative characterization.
Electroless Ni–P nanoparticles deposition enhanced by UV exposure was investigated to catalyze the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) by thermal chemical vapor deposition at
400°C
for interconnect formation that can reduce process complexity. The Ni–P nanoparticles with a size of 6–15 nm were deposited by using a UV-assisted electroless plating on the
SiO2
trench wall at
∼28°C
for CNF wiring formation. Besides, the Ni–P nanoparticles were selectively deposited at the bottom of the via-hole with a size of 100 nm by using electroless plating at
70°C
for CNT-via formation.
This letter presents carbon nanotube (CNT) formation by laser direct writing using 248nm KrF excimer pulsed laser in air at room temperature, which was applied to irradiate amorphous carbon (a-C) assisted by Ni catalysts underneath for the transformation of carbon species into CNTs. The CNTs were synthesized under appropriate combination of laser energy density and a-C thickness. The growth mechanism and key parameters to determine the success of CNT formation were also discussed. The demonstration of the CNT growth by laser direct writing in air at room temperature opens an opportunity of in-position CNT formation at low temperatures.
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