Porous Ceramic Substrates for the Study of Biological Objects by Electron Microscopy

This work discusses ceramic filter materials used as substrates to study biological objects by electron microscopy. The composition, structure, pore sizes, and morphology of ceramic substrates made of foamed silicate prior to and following the application of inverse silicon oxide opals were evaluated by x-ray diffraction analysis and SEM method. Adescription of the use of the obtained filtering substrates in an experiment with biological objects is given. The substrates seem promising for electron microscopy, since they can be used for sample preparation of biological objects with the use of metal spraying or ionic liquid. This technique, together with the filtering porous material and the technical capabilities of the microscope, preserves the physical characteristics of biological objects.