Since the first images and electron diffraction patterns of polyethylene single crystals acquired by TEM in the late 50ties of last century, which have yielded to our understanding of folded-chain polymer crystals, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) characterization has played a leading role for exploring the micro- and nanoscale organization of polymer materials. One of the distinctive capabilities of TEM is to provide real space images and to perform structural analyzes by electron diffraction at the same specimen feature. During the last decades, utilizing TEM has resulted in continual new insights on so-called structure-property relations, i.e. it has created understanding on how the chemical structure of the polymer material and the chosen processing conditions influence morphology formation and the resulting properties.

In the last 10-20 years, utilizing of TEM in condensed matter and life science research was advanced by many technological developments. To name but a few, correctors have substantially improved the quality of electron lenses so that 50 pm spatial resolution is achieved; TEM columns and specimen holders are designed for handling specimens in liquid or at liquid nitrogen/helium temperatures, where the latter substantially increases the “lifetime” of a specimen and allows for characterization of vitrified specimens; and modern cameras and detectors are able to sense single electron events. Condensed matter and life science research have benefit extraordinarily from these technological inventions; however, in the area of polymer science and technology still mainly traditional methodologies are applied.

Therefore, in the main part of my presentation, I will discuss advanced but not well-recognized TEM-based methodologies for polymer morphology characterization, like Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), Electron Tomography (ET) of 100 nm to 4000 nm thick samples, and chemical imaging by Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS). I will show examples from polymer blends and rubbers, nano-composites, and organic electronics.

简单介绍NanoScolo及创办意义及宗旨:主要利用自己专业性，多方合作进行短期工业研发项目，快速立项精准确定问题，快速解决问题。主要介绍AFM工作原理，各种应用以及最新的发展。将结合自己在企业的经历经验，介绍小型科研团队与大型企业之间的合作模式，给出几个具体实例。希望利用这个机会跟长春应化所同行朋友交流本领域的研发动态和未来研发趋势，探索合作机会。