Liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM) allows in situ observations of the dynamic behaviour of materials in liquids with both high spatial resolution and temporal resolution. Its development in the field of geomaterials is a challenging goal that will in turn provide key information on mineral formation and dissolution mechanisms in their native environments, as well as mineral/solution interface reactivity.

In this project, we aim to understand how to minimize or exploit beam effect in the liquid cell to visualize the dynamic processes that occur at the nanoscale in native mineral/solution interfaces. Such study needs a careful understanding of the incident electron beam effect in the liquid phase as well as of the effect of confinement on the system studied. To do so, we are currently investigating and modelling goethite minerals behavior in the liquid cell.