Electron microscopy is a valuable tool for acquiring high-resolution images in multiple applications including biomedical research and technology. CD BioGlyco is dedicated to helping clients select the appropriate electron microscopy technique for the Physical Characterization of Polysaccharide-based Biodegradable Materials. Our scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses allow for detailed information on the internal and surface structure of the sample to be provided to our clients.

SEM and TEM Analysis

Scientists are increasingly interested in the preparation, characterization, properties, and applications of Carbohydrate-based Biodegradable Materials. The selection of suitable techniques to characterize these composites is critical for assessing their performance. Several physical analysis techniques have been used to characterize the structure of polysaccharide-based materials. These techniques include TEM, SEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning probe microscopy (SPM), confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM), and others.

TEM and SEM are the two main types of electron microscopes and have become powerful tools for characterizing a wide range of materials. Their extremely high spatial resolution and versatility make them very valuable tools for many applications. The main difference between SEM and TEM is that TEM uses transmitted electrons to create an image, whereas SEM creates an image by detecting reflected or knocked-off electrons. A noteworthy technique is the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) which is a combination of TEM and SEM, allowing the internal structure of the sample to be viewed at a very high resolution.

Fig.1 A schematic representation of a SEM. (Kumar, et al., 2014)

SEM/TEM Analysis of Polysaccharide-based Biodegradable Materials at CD BioGlyco

We have expertise in electron microscopy to provide our clients with the Characterization of Polysaccharide-based Biodegradable Materials. We offer SEM analysis to provide insight into the morphology and elemental composition of samples and TEM analysis to provide valuable information detailing the internal structure of samples, such as crystal structure, morphology, and stress state information. We help you choose the most suitable electron microscopy technique for your analysis, depending on the type of analysis you want to perform. Our services include but are not limited to:

• Lattice imaging of carbohydrate crystals
• Analysis of 3D morphology
• Analysis of elemental composition
• Estimation of the particle size and size distribution
• Determination of crystallographic phases at the nanometer scale
• Nanometer-scale elemental maps
• Crystal defect characterization

Our SEM/TEM analysis services can be used to characterize multiple polysaccharide-based biodegradable materials.

• Structural analysis of polysaccharide networks, such as polysaccharide gels assembled from the anionic biopolymers pectin and carrageenan, chitosan-based network polysaccharide nanogels, etc.
• Characterization of carbohydrate nanoparticles
• Characterization of drug delivery systems based on modified polysaccharides

SEM/TEM Advantages

Compared to TEM, SEM:

• Costs less
• Simple sample preparation
• Takes less time to create images
• Accepts thicker samples
• Provides 3D images of the surface of the sample
• Allows examination of larger samples

Compared to SEM, TEM:

• Provides crystallographic and atomic data
• Creates higher resolution images
• Provides higher magnifications
• Creates 2D projection images of the inner structure
• Allows examination of more characteristics of the sample

CD BioGlyco has extensive expertise and technical staff with relevant backgrounds in the research of a wide range of polysaccharide-based biodegradable materials. Our experience in SEM/TEM method development keeps your costs low.

If you are interested in our SEM/TEM analysis, please feel free to contact us for more details.