CryO-TEM

What Is Cryo-TEM?

Cryo-TEM is a form of transmission electron microscopy in which samples are rapidly vitrified (frozen so fast that water forms amorphous ice rather than crystals) and imaged at cryogenic temperatures.

This approach preserves:

native morphology
internal structure
dispersion state
interfaces and assemblies

Cryo-TEM allows direct visualization of structures as they exist in real environments, rather than after drying or chemical treatment.

Why Use Cryo-TEM?

Cryo-TEM is chosen when traditional TEM introduces artifacts such as:

collapse of soft structures
aggregation after drying
phase separation
redistribution of components
beam-induced damage

Cryo-TEM helps answer questions such as:

What is the true morphology of nanoparticles or soft materials?
Are particles dispersed, aggregated, or self-assembled?
How are internal structures organized in hydrated systems?
Do interfaces or shells exist around particles?
How does processing affect nanoscale structure?

What Cryo-TEM Can Reveal

Cryo-TEM provides high-resolution insight into:

nanoparticle size, shape, and dispersion
soft matter morphology (micelles, vesicles, emulsions)
polymer and polymer-blend nanostructure
internal structure of gels and colloids
core–shell and multilayer nanostructures
early-stage aggregation or phase separation

Because imaging is performed under cryogenic conditions, observed features are closer to real functional states.

Typical Application Scenarios

Nanoparticles & Colloidal Systems

Particle size and shape evaluation
Dispersion vs. aggregation analysis
Stability assessment in liquid or hydrated environments

Polymers & Soft Materials

Nanostructure of polymer assemblies
Phase separation in blends or composites
Morphology of gels, elastomers, and soft matrices

Pharmaceuticals & Drug Delivery

Liposomes, micelles, nanoparticles
Encapsulation structure and uniformity
Aggregation or instability investigation

Biological & Bio-Inspired Materials

Hydrated biological structures
Biomimetic materials and interfaces
Structural integrity without staining artifacts

R&D & Failure Investigation

Comparison of “good vs. failed” samples
Evaluation of processing-induced structural changes
Root-cause analysis for nanoscale defects

Sample Types

Cryo-TEM is commonly applied to:

aqueous or solvent-based dispersions
nanoparticles and colloids
soft polymers and polymer assemblies
gels, emulsions, and suspensions
biological or bio-related materials (case-dependent)

Xinbodi evaluates sample suitability based on composition, sensitivity, and analytical objectives before testing.

What You Will Receive

Each Cryo-TEM project is delivered with a clear, structured report designed for technical decision-making. A typical deliverable includes:

project objective and sample description
cryogenic preparation and imaging conditions
high-resolution Cryo-TEM images
particle size or structural observations (when applicable)
comparison summaries (batch vs. batch, treated vs. untreated)
interpretation focused on structure–performance relationships
recommendations for optimization or complementary analysis

Why Choose Xinbodi for Cryo-TEM?

Experience with soft, hydrated, and beam-sensitive materials
Careful cryogenic preparation to preserve native structure
Application-driven interpretation, not just images
Support for R&D, troubleshooting, and formulation optimization
Ability to combine Cryo-TEM with other analytical techniques when needed
Strict confidentiality for proprietary samples and data