Internal structure analysis of mica particles coated with metal oxide by transmission electron microscopy

The morphology and internal structure of mica particles coated with metal oxide, TiO2, produced by the hydrolysis method were investigated by transmission electron microscopy on thin sections prepared by means of a specially designed sample preparation technique. Cross-sectional TEM images clearly revealed the comparatively uniform thickness and composition of the TiO2 layer as a component of the particles. It was found that the TiO2 layer was composed of randomly oriented small particles about 50 nm in diameter with small variation of the diameter depending on the position in a mica particle, while near the surface of the mica particle a monolayer of TiO2 oxide was observed.