Three-dimensional structural analysis of polymer/inorganic nanocomposite by 180-degree projection TEMT (transmission electron microtomography)

Transmission electron microtomography (TEMT) has been used to study three-dimensional (3D) structure of polymer/ZrO₂ nanocomposite. One of the serious factors that limits the TEMT resolution is the "missing wedge" in Fourier space caused by a limitation of angular range available in a transmission electron microscope. In the present study, a rod-shaped specimen whose diameter is ca. 150 nm was attached at the tip of a specially modified specimen holder without any supporting film. This arrangement enabled us to rotate freely the rod-shaped specimen with high precision, and resulted in an exact reconstruction of 3D structures without the missing wedge.