Electron Beam-Induced Transformation in High-Density Amorphous Ices

J Phys Chem B. 2020 Oct 15;124(41):9283-9288. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c08232. Epub 2020 Sep 30.

Abstract

Amorphous ice is commonly used as a noncrystalline matrix for protecting sensitive biological samples in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The amorphization process of water is complex, and at least two amorphous states of different densities are known to exist, high- and low-density amorphous ices (HDA and LDA). These forms are considered to be the counterparts of two distinct liquid states, namely, high- and low-density liquid water. Herein, we investigate the HDA to LDA transition using electron diffraction and cryo-EM. The observed phase transition is induced by the impact of electrons, and we discuss two different mechanisms, namely, local heating and beam-induced motion of water molecules. The temperature increase is estimated by comparison with X-ray scattering experiments on identically prepared samples. Our results suggest that HDA, under the conditions used in our cryo-EM measurements, is locally heated above its glass-transition temperature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electrons*
  • Phase Transition
  • Temperature
  • Transition Temperature
  • Water*

Substances

  • Water