Motivation

• little is known about (de)intercalation mechanisms, especially at the atomic level

• how and why inercalation occur

• staging transitions

• guest-guest and guest-host interactions

(HR)TEM is able to provide valuable information on the structural organization of IC’s

Dynamic HRTEM: in-situ atomic-level imaging of dynamic process (e.g., (de)intercalation)

Structural Characterization

• Most common: X-ray

problem: - structural information averaged over large volume

• Local structure: TEM

problem: - IC’s are unstable in air and vacuum
- sample prep modifies the structure

• Solution: - low-temperature + inert atmosphere

• low temperature TEM sample prep under inert conditions

• inert-atmosphere storage and handling

• precooling of TEM samples under inert atmosphere prior to loading

• low-temperature TEM