ZIF-8 crystals suspended in methanol were deposited on 200 mesh holey carbon grids by pipetting 3 μL of the crystalline suspension onto the carbon surface of the grid. The grids carrying ZIF-8 crystals we allowed to dry to remove excess methanol and then were placed under vacuum in a cryogenically cooled ThermoFisher Aquilos dual beam focused ion-beam and scanning electron microscope (FIB/SEM) for milling into thin lamellae. We followed protocols detailed previously . Initially, the grids were sputter-coated under fine and coarse settings for a minute each, thus adding a layer of conducting platinum to aid SEM imaging and protect the crystals from the gallium ion beam. Subsequently, a protective layer of approximately 500 nm of organic platinum volatile was applied to the grids using a gas injection system. Crystals meeting specific criteria (not located on a grid bar, within two grid squares of the grid edge) were identified via SEM and FIB imaging.