Cryo-staining techniques in cryo-TEM studies of dispersed nanotubes

The combination of cryo-TEM and staining is employed for studying protein-enabled dispersion of carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution. The same staining agent is used for both positive- and negative-staining. We are able to image the adsorbed layer of protein or polysaccharide on the nanotube but not the individual molecule. The process is not artifact-free due to change in ionic strength of the solution. However, our results are in line with other, not related, experimental techniques. The obtained information could be used to update models suggested based on, e.g., scattering data.