STRUCTURE OF SINGLE-MOLECULE SINGLE-CRYSTALS OF ISOTACTIC POLYSTYRENEAND THEIR RADIATION-RESISTANCE

The structure of single-molecule single crystals of isotactic polystyr ene (i-PS) was investigated by electron diffraction (ED). The nanoscal e single-molecule single crystals were found to be more resistant to e lectron irradiation when compared to the larger crystals of many molec ules, as indicated by both observation of ED and high-resolution elect ron microscopy with increasing radiation dose. It is proposed that sin ce the single-molecule single crystals are very small, the secondary e lectrons escape more frequently from the crystal so that the radiation damage is reduced. Lattice imaging was achieved at room temperature i n the case of single-molecule single crystals because of their stabili ty to electron irradiation. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.