2.6. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) Spectroscopy

The morphology of (oxidized and GEL-coupled) BC membranes was evaluated by means of SEM imaging on a microscope Supra 35 VP (Carl Zeiss, Yena, Germany) using secondary electron modes and up to 150,000× magnification. SEM coupled with an EDX detection system (detector Inca 400, Oxford Instruments, Paris, France) was further used for mineral evaluation, atomic inspection, and elemental identification of deposited minerals. Samples were, prior to imaging and EDX analysis, sputtered with a thin layer of palladium.