MICROSCOPY
Figure 2: A) ChemiSEM image of a Ag/Zn Si photovoltaic surface showing B) silver (blue), C) zinc (pink), and D) silicon (green)
CHEMISEM: A STEP FORWARD IN SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS RESEARCH Developing advanced materials for low-carbon technologies requires precise structure and compositional analysis. However, modern materials — such as solid-state battery electrolytes and hydrogen storage alloys — present challenges that traditional EM methods struggle to address. Conventional scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) provides high- resolution imaging of material surfaces, revealing grain boundaries and nanoscale defects. Meanwhile, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses elemental composition. In traditional workflows, these
techniques require sequential analysis, with EDS performed after, or instead of, imaging, often under different conditions. This can lead to inconsistencies, making it difficult to link structure to composition. Furthermore, emerging sustainable materials usually have complex, heterogeneous compositions in which subtle elemental variations impact performance and longevity. Thermo Fisher’s ChemiSEM
presents a single, streamlined solution that integrates SEM imaging and EDS analysis into one user interface. This not only enables faster result times and live structural and compositional
analysis but also provides accurate quantification, complete with live peak deconvolution and automated removal of sum and escape peak artifacts. As an integrated data management
platform combining advanced elemental analysis with real-time electron imaging, ChemiPhase within ChemiSEM enables the discovery of material phases through advanced statistical analysis allowing users to perform SEM and EDS analysis simultaneously, reducing response times and minimising redundancies. Multiple different types of analysis
can be performed in ChemiSEM, including point and region analysis, line scans, gross count mapping, quantitative mapping and phase mapping.
CASE STUDY: AG/ZN SI PHOTOVOLTAIC Solar energy is a critical form of renewable energy and is primarily harvested by photovoltaics which convert sunlight into electricity. Materials research and characterisation is at the forefront of making current solar cell technology cheaper, more efficient and more reliable. EM is an important technique to view photovoltaic materials at micro and nanoscales to examine the material structure and composition. Figure 1 shows an Ag/Zn Si photovoltaic simultaneously imaged
with four different detectors on a Thermo Fisher Apreo ChemiSEM SEM. At first inspection, there appeared
to be differences in material structure and compositional contrast throughout the sample surface. ChemiSEM made it possible to deconvolute these differences owing to topography versus chemical structure with a click of the ChemiSEM colour wheel and spectra buttons and without having to change any imaging conditions. Figure 2 illustrates a ChemiSEM image of the A) Ag/Zn Si photovoltaic and individual quantitative elemental maps of B) silver (blue), C) zinc (pink), and d) silicon (green). Being able to identify the elemental distribution helps to better understand material properties to progress photovoltaic research for a cleaner energy future. Electron microscopy is proving
indispensable not only for early- stage research and development but throughout the entire lifecycle of sustainable materials. Such comprehensive capabilities are critical as nations work to meet the ambitious climate targets set forth in the upcoming 2026–2031 NDC deadlines, ultimately supporting the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future.
For more information visit:
www.thermofisher.com
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