Formvar carbon support films

Formvar carbon support films are more robust than the formvar or carbon only films. The thin carbon film on top of the Formvar stabilises the support film when working with voltages above 120kV and/or for prolonged imaging times. However, carbon is hydrophobic so when depositing particles the support films need to be treated to make the surface hydrophilic. Making support film hydrophilic can be done with a glow discharge device, a plasma cleaner, such as Tergeo-EM, a UV lamp or immersion in 70% alcohol for a second. For TEM-Tomography applications which could damage or deform the sample, we suggest coating the sample with a few nanometers thin carbon layer.

Formvar carbon TEM support films also offer a good solution where a carbon only film would be too fragile to withstand pre-treatments and/or additional processing. They is also the option of removing the formvar from the Formvar carbon film before use. The thickness of the formvar film is around 5-7nm, the thickness of the carbon film is around 7-10nm. The carbon film is on top of the Formvar film.

Formvar carbon TEM support films are available on 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400 mesh and large slot copper, nickel and gold grids and F2 finder grids. See the table (below) for available Formvar/carbon TEM support films with pack sizes of 25, 50 and 100/box.

Formvar carbon support films

Formvar carbon support films are available on copper, gold and nickel grids in a range of mesh sizes.

Click on your choice of metal :

• Copper

• Gold

• Nickel

We also offer alternative support films in:

Formvar only film

Pioloform film with a layer of carbon

Pioloform only film