 Solution

Disperse a very small amount of the dry powder in a clean volatile solvent compatible with aluminium oxide, use brief gentle sonication to separate loose agglomerates, and place a dilute drop on a holey carbon-coated transmission electron microscopy grid. Wick away excess liquid and dry thoroughly. Look first at low magnification and select isolated particles or thin edges over holes, rather than an electron-opaque pile. Record a solvent-only grid to identify contamination and compare several independently prepared areas.

This is quick and preserves individual particles without mechanical thinning. However, spray pyrolysis can make hollow or porous particles that may fracture during sonication; sedimentation and drying can select sizes and aggregate particles. aluminium oxide is insulating, so charging or beam-induced changes can complicate images, and the carbon support can overlap weak contrast. Vary dose and dwell time to test stability. A projected image of one selected thin particle is not an unbiased three-dimensional size or porosity distribution of the whole powder.