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Materials Science
Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy
Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy elemental mapping for reliable chemical characterization.
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Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS, also abbreviated EDX or XEDS) is an analytical technique that enables the chemical characterization/elemental analysis of materials. A sample excited by an energy source (such as the electron beam of an electron microscope) dissipates some of the absorbed energy by ejecting a core-shell electron. A higher energy outer-shell electron then proceeds to fill its place, releasing the difference in energy as an X-ray that has a characteristic spectrum based on its atom of origin. This allows for the compositional analysis of a given sample volume that has been excited by the energy source. The position of the peaks in the spectrum identifies the element, whereas the intensity of the signal corresponds to the concentration of the element.
EDS elemental mapping
As previously stated, an electron beam provides sufficient energy to eject core-shell electrons and cause X-ray emission. Compositional information, down to the atomic level, can be obtained with the addition of an EDS detector to an electron microscope. As the electron probe is scanned across the sample, characteristic X-rays are emitted and measured; each recorded EDS spectrum is mapped to a specific position on the sample. The quality of the results depends on the signal strength and the cleanliness of the spectrum. Signal strength relies heavily on a good signal-to-noise ratio, particularly for trace element detection and dose minimization (which allows for faster recording and artifact-free results). Cleanliness will impact the number of spurious peaks seen; this is a consequence of the materials that make up the electron column.
EDS materials analysis
- Sensitive to low concentrations—minimum detection limits below 0.1% in the best cases
- Affords a high degree of relative precision—typically 2–4%
- Non-destructive in most situations
- Usually requires minimal sample preparation effort and time
- Delivers complete analyses of complex samples quickly, often in under a minute
Advanced and fully integrated EDS solutions are available on Thermo Scientific TEM, SEM and Desktop systems.
SEM EDS analysis
Elemental mapping software
Electroplated bimetallic metal foams imaged with ChemiSEM Technology. Sample courtesy of Prof. Dr. Peter Broekmann, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern.
Fractured teapot made from aluminum oxide, imaged with ChemiSEM Technology. Micro-quantities of iron debris from tools used in the manufacturing process can be seen.
Automated, large-area STEM-EDS data reveals the elemental composition of individual gold-nickel nanoparticles. Data processing performed with Avizo Software. Sample courtesy of J. Bursik, Institute of Physics of Materials, Brno.
Segmented surface rendering of nanoparticles colored with elements present: silver cores (red) with platinum shells (green). To increase visibility, the platinum shells have been colored semitransparent. Sample Courtesy of Prof. Yi Ding and Prof. Jun Luo, Center for Electron Microscopy, Tianjin University of Technology.
EDS tomography of P-Zn-In nanotubes. Sample courtesy of Dr. Reza Shahbazian Yassar, Michigan Tech University.
Electroplated bimetallic metal foams imaged with ChemiSEM Technology. Sample courtesy of Prof. Dr. Peter Broekmann, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bern.
Fractured teapot made from aluminum oxide, imaged with ChemiSEM Technology. Micro-quantities of iron debris from tools used in the manufacturing process can be seen.
Automated, large-area STEM-EDS data reveals the elemental composition of individual gold-nickel nanoparticles. Data processing performed with Avizo Software. Sample courtesy of J. Bursik, Institute of Physics of Materials, Brno.
Segmented surface rendering of nanoparticles colored with elements present: silver cores (red) with platinum shells (green). To increase visibility, the platinum shells have been colored semitransparent. Sample Courtesy of Prof. Yi Ding and Prof. Jun Luo, Center for Electron Microscopy, Tianjin University of Technology.
EDS tomography of P-Zn-In nanotubes. Sample courtesy of Dr. Reza Shahbazian Yassar, Michigan Tech University.
Technical Cleanliness
More than ever, modern manufacturing necessitates reliable, quality components. With scanning electron microscopy, parts cleanliness analysis can be brought inhouse, providing you with a broad range of analytical data and shortening your production cycle.
Quality control and failure analysis
Quality control and assurance are essential in modern industry. We offer a range of EM and spectroscopy tools for multi-scale and multi-modal analysis of defects, allowing you to make reliable and informed decisions for process control and improvement.
Fundamental Materials Research
Novel materials are investigated at increasingly smaller scales for maximum control of their physical and chemical properties. Electron microscopy provides researchers with key insight into a wide variety of material characteristics at the micro- to nano-scale.
Battery Research
Battery development is enabled by multi-scale analysis with microCT, SEM and TEM, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and digital 3D visualization and analysis. Learn how this approach provides the structural and chemical information needed to build better batteries.
Polymers Research
Polymer microstructure dictates the material’s bulk characteristics and performance. Electron microscopy enables comprehensive microscale analysis of polymer morphology and composition for R&D and quality control applications.
Metals Research
Effective production of metals requires precise control of inclusions and precipitates. Our automated tools can perform a variety of tasks critical for metal analysis including; nanoparticle counting, EDS chemical analysis and TEM sample preparation.
Oil and Gas
As the demand for oil and gas continues, there is an ongoing need for efficient and effective extraction of hydrocarbons. Thermo Fisher Scientific offers a range of microscopy and spectroscopy solutions for a variety of petroleum science applications.
Nanoparticles
Materials have fundamentally different properties at the nanoscale than at the macroscale. To study them, S/TEM instrumentation can be combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to obtain nanometer, or even sub-nanometer, resolution data.
Geological Research
Geoscience relies on consistent and accurate multi-scale observation of features within rock samples. SEM-EDS, combined with automation software, enables direct, large-scale analysis of texture and mineral composition for petrology and mineralogy research.
Forensics
Micro-traces of crime scene evidence can be analyzed and compared using electron microscopy as part of a forensic investigation. Compatible samples include glass and paint fragments, tool marks, drugs, explosives, and GSR (gunshot residue).
2D Materials
Novel materials research is increasingly interested in the structure of low-dimensional materials. Scanning transmission electron microscopy with probe correction and monochromation allows for high-resolution two-dimensional materials imaging.
Catalysis Research
Catalysts are critical for a majority of modern industrial processes. Their efficiency depends on the microscopic composition and morphology of the catalytic particles; EM with EDS is ideally suited for studying these properties.
Automotive Materials Testing
Every component in a modern vehicle is designed for safety, efficiency, and performance. Detailed characterization of automotive materials with electron microscopy and spectroscopy informs critical process decisions, product improvements, and new materials.
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