Scanning Atom Probe Analysis of Metal Chelate Compound

The scanning atom probe (SAP) developed in the authors’ laboratory has a microelectrode that localizes the electric field around the sample apex. The scanning atom probe can be applied for the measurement of non-bulk, non-solid materials. The metal chelate compounds supported on carbon fiber (CF) were successfully analyzed by scanning atom probe using polyethylene glycol as matrix and CF as support and field emitter. The chelate bonds between Fe2+ metal ion and bidentate ligands 1,10-phenanthroline were found to be stable because the metal complex ions were detected keeping the number of ligands coordinating with the metal ion. On the other hand, the neutral chelate complex was found to dissociate isothiocyanate which was a negatively charged monodentate ligand.