Structure and Phase Evolution Characterization of Advanced Materials by Using Temperature-Programmable Resonant Microcantilever in Combination with Raman Spectroscopy (Simultaneous Tg-Raman)

Resonant microcantilever integrated with a temperature-programmable micro-heater is combined with Raman spectroscopy to conduct the simultaneous thermogravimetric and Raman (simultaneous TG-Raman) analysis during heating process. The TG analysis is realized by programmatically heating the materials at the cantilever free end and the resonant frequency shift represents the mass change during heating. Meanwhile, Raman spectroscopy determines the structure and phase evolution of the materials. Only sub-nanogram-level material is required to implement the simultaneous TG-Raman characterization. As proofs-of-concept, the oxidation of molybdenum disulfide (MoS
2
) and the reduction of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets have been characterized using our simultaneous TG-Raman analytical technique.