Cryo-sectioning and chemical-fixing ultramicrotomy techniques for imaging rubber latex particle morphology

Abstract

Two methods adapted from biological microscopy are described for a new application in imaging the morphology of rubbery latex particles. In the first method, a drop of latex is frozen in liquid nitrogen, sectioned with a diamond knife and vapour-stained with osmium tetroxide, then viewed by transmission electron microscopy. When applied to latexes made by emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate in a natural rubber latex seed, inclusions are clearly visible. A chemical fixation method is then described for imaging the morphology of such rubbery latex particles. Glutaraldehyde is added to the latex, followed by osmium tetroxide. The sample is then dehydrated in ethanol, epoxy resin added, and the sample cured, ultramicrotomed, and imaged with transmission electron microscopy. An inclusion morphology is again clearly seen.