Cryogenic vitrification and 3D serial sectioning using high resolution cryo-FIB SEM technology for brine-filled grain boundaries in halite: first results

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_C51B2E446573
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Cryogenic vitrification and 3D serial sectioning using high resolution cryo-FIB SEM technology for brine-filled grain boundaries in halite: first results
Journal
Geofluids
Author(s)
Desbois G., Urai J.L., Burkhardt C, Drury M R., Hayles M., Humbel B.M.
ISSN
1468-8115
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2008
Volume
8
Number
1
Pages
60-72
Language
english
Abstract
Abstract
The structure of brine films in grain boundaries of halite has been the subject of much controversy over the past 20 years; although a number of innovative methods have been developed to study these structures, much is still unknown and fundamental information is missing. In this study, we investigated different methods of plunge-freezing to vitrify the brine fill of grain boundaries for natural salt polycrystal. This was followed by a preliminary study of the 3D morphology of a vitrified grain boundary in a natural rock salt sample with a focused ion beam (FIB) excavation system. We have shown that brine-filled grain boundaries in rock salt can be efficiently well frozen when dimensions are less than about 1 mm. Coupled with an ion beam tool, cryo-SEM allows 3D observation of the well-frozen grain boundaries in large volumes and high resolution. Initial results of brine-filled natural halite grain boundaries show non-faceted crystal-brine interfaces and unexpectedly low dihedral angles at room temperature and pressure.
Keywords
brine, cryo-SEM, FIB, grain boundary, halite, serial sectioning, vitrification
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
28/02/2012 19:22
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:40
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