Surface morphology and thickness variation estimation of zeolites via electron ptychography

Abstract

Zeolites, as representative porous materials, possess intricate three-dimensional frameworks that endow them with high surface areas and remarkable catalytic properties. There are a few factors that give a huge influence on the catalytic properties, including the size and connectivity of these three-dimensional channels and atomic level defects. In additional to that, the surface morphology and thickness variation of zeolites particles are essential to their catalytic performances as well. However, it is a significant challenge to characterize these macroscopic properties of zeolites using conventional techniques due to their sensitivity to electron beams. In this study, we introduce surface-adaptive electron ptychography, an advanced approach based on multi-slice electron ptychography, which enables high-precision reconstruction of both local atomic configurations and global structural features in zeolite nanoparticles. By adaptively optimizing probe defocus and slice thickness during the reconstruction process, SAEP successfully resolves surface morphology, thickness variations and atomic structure simultaneously. This integrated framework facilitates a direct and intuitive correlation between zeolite channel structures and particle thickness. Our findings open new pathways for large-scale, comprehensive structure property analysis of beam-sensitive porous materials, deepening the understanding of their catalytic behavior.