Nano-Reactor
MEMS-based sample carrier for gas reaction studies
The Climate Infinity Nano-Reactor is a MEMS-based device that acts as a sample carrier enabling a unique gas, heating and biasing environment within an electron microscope. Replicating a real-world industrial chemical reactor, the Nano-Reactor enables sub-Angstrom resolution imaging and analysis of gas reactions.
MEMS-based sample carriers
Nano-Reactor
Nano-Reactor performance
Observe catalyst dynamics with full (S)TEM performance
The Nano-Reactor enables users to achieve real-world gas conditions, such as pressures of up to 2 bar, while imaging at atomic resolution. The SiNₓ windows have been optimized to withstand the pressure difference between the sample and the TEM vacuum while minimizing electron scattering.
Atomic resolution imaging
The Nano-Reactor is designed to minimize gas thickness at the sample position, limiting interaction with the electron beam. The SiNₓ windows support (S)TEM imaging and have been optimized to withstand pressure differences while reducing window thickness for minimal electron scattering.
Formation of Cu₂O adlayer on the surface of a copper particle at 750 °C in H₂:O₂ (10:1), revealing an ongoing redox process – By Prof. Marc Willinger (DOI: 10.1002/adma.202101772)
In situ catalyst observation
Observe morphological changes in real time as catalysts respond to reactive atmospheres. Track particle dynamics under controlled gas and temperature conditions to understand catalytic mechanisms at the atomic scale.
Morphological changes observed at 600 °C when a TiO₂ supported Pt particle is exposed to a redox-active atmosphere (700 mbar O₂ and 60 mbar H₂) – By Dr. Hannes Frey and Prof. Marc Willinger (DOI: 10.1126/science.abm3371)
Micro-heater technology
The Nano-Reactor's micro-heater is based on proven DENSsolutions MEMS technology, offering superior temperature accuracy, reliability and stability. The micro-heater is encapsulated with an inert SiNₓ protection layer to ensure the heater metal does not interact with gas or sample. The 4-point-probe method enables local temperature control, while the fast feedback loop compensates for local gas environment changes.
Capability
Calorimetry
Monitoring heat dissipation & absorption
Easy sample preparation
Loading the sample onto the MEMS-based Nano-Reactor is easy and fast to perform. This can typically be done either via a process of dropcasting or via a FIB lamella.
Dropcasting the sample
Nanoparticles are typically in powder form and are prepared in a solvent, such as ethanal or water, for direct dropcasting onto the Nano-Reactor’s electron transparent windows.
FIB lamella
Using a dedicated procedure, it’s also possible to prepare a FIB lamella on the Climate Infinity functional chip in a dual beam either for heating and/or biasing experiments.
