Contrast enhancement method of transmission electron microscopy in visualization of polymeric micelles by fluoride addition and staining

In this study, we focused on improving the TEM image contrast of polymeric micelles by applying novel staining media during the TEM sample preparation process. For the first time, two contrast enhancement methods for polymeric micelles TEM visualization have been established. One strategy is to apply a new staining reagent containing flutamide (FTM) during TEM sample preparation, and the other strategy is to pre-mix FTM with polymeric micelles solution before negativestaining procedure. Both of the two strategies can significantly improve TEM image contrast. Techniques used in these methods are time-saving and useful for TEM microscopy of polymeric micelles, and have potential in identification of many other soft nanomaterials, which may greatly facilitate the application of these materials in fields of nanotechnology, structural chemistry, and biomedical research.