Radiation chemistry modelling for quantitative liquid phase electron microscopy
CIC nanoGUNE Seminars
- Speaker
-
Stefan Merkens
CIC nanoGUNE - When
-
2026/01/19
11:00 - Place
- CIC nanoGUNE seminar room, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia - San Sebastian
- Host
- Alexander Bittner
- Add to calendar
-
iCal
Liquid-phase electron microscopy (LP-EM) is an emerging experimental technique which permits the nanoscale imaging of processes in liquid media. In recent years, experimental setups have been developed that replicate realistic conditions inside the microscope, allowing for the quantitative investigation of relevant physico-, bio- and electrochemical processes.
Considering these developments, the work of a microscopist would be exhilarating were it not for the detrimental effect of the ionizing radiation used for imaging. When aqueous solutions are irradiated with a high-energy electron beam, dozens of highly reactive species are generated in substantial quantities. These species trigger a cascade of complex chemical reactions that can ultimately alter and disrupt the processes of primary interest.
This talk summarizes our efforts to understand radiation-induced reaction kinetics in relevant LP-EM scenarios through computational modelling. 1–4 It showcases the implementation of comprehensive models and provides insights into the response of the reaction network to various stimuli. Finally, the acquired knowledge is leveraged to improve LP-EM methodology, paving the way for a more reliable interpretation.
REFERENCES
1. De Salvo, G. et al. A workflow for modeling radiolysis in chemically, physically, and geometrically complex scenarios. iScience 28, (2025).
2. Merkens, S., De Salvo, G. & Chuvilin, A. The Effect of Flow on Radiolysis in Liquid Phase-TEM flow cells. Nano Express 3, 045006 (2023).
3. Merkens, S. et al. Toward sub-second solution exchange dynamics in flow reactors for liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy. Nat Commun 15, 2522 (2024).
4. El Marini, M. et al. Electrochemical TEM: Simulating Electrochemistry Coupled with Radiolysis. ACS Electrochemistry