Raman Imaging and Scanning Electron Microscope (RISE Microscope)

• Subject Area: Chemical Solid State and Surface Research
• Term: Funded in 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 450610390

The Raman Imaging and Scanning Electron Microscope (RISE Microscope) enables a correlation of chemical information (Raman spectroscopy) with surface properties (scanning electron microscopy) and provides a deeper insight to the interplay of chemical composition and morphology of nanostructured materials. In addition to analyze the local composition of inorganic, organic and hybrid solid materials this method also enables a better understanding of the interactions between molecules and surfaces, which is one main objective of the applicants. Till date only standard Raman spectrometers and scanning electron microscopes are operated in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cologne, which provide a separate characterization but no correlated information regarding detailed chemical composition and topological sample information is possible, which exceeds the well-established energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Analyzing the chemical surface functionalization and quantification of the same on nanostructured materials (nanoparticles, nanowires, this-films and porous materials) is of key importance for investigating materials for biological and medical applications, but remains challenging with existing characterization systems. In addition, research efforts focusing on 2-dimensional materials - like for example graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), hexagonal boron nitride and heterostructures thereof - will profit significantly from a correlated approach combining Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy and support the collaborative efforts of the Department of Chemistry with the Physics Institutes.The current application for a RISE-Microscope will lay the foundation of a correlated microscopy / spectroscopy nanoanalytics platform at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the University of Cologne, which will be extended with additional analytical options (i.e. energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy: EDX, electron back-scattered diffraction: EBSD, cathodoluminescence: CL, etc.) to provide a more detailed chemical analytics of nanostructured materials and supplement the central research strategy of the Department and beyond.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Bildgebendes Raman- und Rasterelektronen-Mikroskop
• Instrumentation Group: 5120 Rasterelektronenmikroskope (REM)
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Leader: Professor Dr. Sanjay Mathur