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Imaging molecular structures and interactions by enhanced confinement effect in electron microscopy

Author

Listed:
  • Mengmeng Ma

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

  • Qinnan Yu

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

  • Jiayi Zhang

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

  • Xiao Chen

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Wenbo Li

    (East China University of Science and Technology)

  • Xianlin Qu

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Xuliang Zhang

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

  • Jiale Feng

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

  • Fei Wei

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Jianyu Yuan

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

  • Tao Cheng

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

  • Sheng Dai

    (East China University of Science and Technology)

  • Yi Wang

    (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

  • Bin Song

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

  • Boyuan Shen

    (Soochow University
    Soochow University)

Abstract

Atomic imaging of molecules and intermolecular interactions are of great significance for a deeper understanding of the basic physics and chemistry in various applications, but it is still challenging in electron microscopy due to their thermal mobility and beam sensitivity. Confinement effect and low-dose imaging method may efficiently help us achieve stable high-resolution resolving of molecules and their interactions. Here, we propose a general strategy to image the confined molecules and evaluate the strengths of host-guest interactions in three material systems by low-dose electron microscopy. Then, we change the guest molecules to analyze how each kind of interaction strength influences the imaging quality of these molecules by using a same parameter, the aspect ratios of imaged molecular projections. In the material systems of perovskites (ionic) and zeolites with adsorbed molecules (van der Waals), we can obtain a clear image of molecular configurations by enhancing host-guest interactions. Even in metal organic framework (coordination) system, the atomic structures and bonds of aromatics can be achieved. These results provide a general description on the relation between molecular images and interactions, making it possible to study more molecular behaviors in wide applications by real-space imaging.

Suggested Citation

  • Mengmeng Ma & Qinnan Yu & Jiayi Zhang & Xiao Chen & Wenbo Li & Xianlin Qu & Xuliang Zhang & Jiale Feng & Fei Wei & Jianyu Yuan & Tao Cheng & Sheng Dai & Yi Wang & Bin Song & Boyuan Shen, 2025. "Imaging molecular structures and interactions by enhanced confinement effect in electron microscopy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57816-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57816-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Boyuan Shen & Xiao Chen & Xiaoyu Fan & Hao Xiong & Huiqiu Wang & Weizhong Qian & Yao Wang & Fei Wei, 2021. "Resolving atomic SAPO-34/18 intergrowth architectures for methanol conversion by identifying light atoms and bonds," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Omar M. Yaghi & Michael O'Keeffe & Nathan W. Ockwig & Hee K. Chae & Mohamed Eddaoudi & Jaheon Kim, 2003. "Reticular synthesis and the design of new materials," Nature, Nature, vol. 423(6941), pages 705-714, June.
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    4. Mengmeng Ma & Xuliang Zhang & Xiao Chen & Hao Xiong & Liang Xu & Tao Cheng & Jianyu Yuan & Fei Wei & Boyuan Shen, 2023. "In situ imaging of the atomic phase transition dynamics in metal halide perovskites," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    5. Boyuan Shen & Xiao Chen & Huiqiu Wang & Hao Xiong & Eric G. T. Bosch & Ivan Lazić & Dali Cai & Weizhong Qian & Shifeng Jin & Xin Liu & Yu Han & Fei Wei, 2021. "A single-molecule van der Waals compass," Nature, Nature, vol. 592(7855), pages 541-544, April.
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