title: Cryo-EM Visualization of Nanobubbles in Aqueous Solutions.
abstract: The detection of nanobubbles on surfaces is well established (e.g., AFM and optical microscopy methods), but currently no methods exist for the direct detection of bulk nanobubbles. Here, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has been employed to observe bubbles in aqueous solutions for the first time. Nitrogen bubbles generated by a chemical reaction were observed in amorphous ice trapped between two carbon films. The cryo-EM images of bubbles showed the same features as predicted by theory. The fact that no bubbles were observed near an air-water interface suggests that bubbles may diffuse to the nearby air-water interface and escape. The estimate of the bubble diffusion coefficient is about 30-250 μm2/s.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.
authors.forename: Mo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.
authors.forename: Lige
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tonggu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhan
authors.affiliation: Revalesio Corporation, 1200 East D Street, Tacoma, Washington 98421, United States.
authors.forename: Tony L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Mega
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington 98195, United States.
authors.forename: Liguo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang