Topography Mapping with Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy

Anal Chem. 2022 Apr 5;94(13):5248-5254. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04692. Epub 2022 Mar 21.

Abstract

High-resolution scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM), synchronously visualizing the topography and electrochemical activity, could be used to directly correlate the structure and activity of materials nanoscopically. However, its topographical measurement is largely restricted by the size and stability of the meniscus droplet formed at the end of the nanopipette. In this paper, we report a scheme that could reliably gain several tens nanometer resolution (≥65 nm) of SECCM using homemade ∼50 nm inner diameter probes. Furthermore, the topography and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of ∼45 nm self-assembled Au nanoparticles monolayer were simultaneously recorded successfully. This scheme could make mapping of both topologic and chemical properties of samples in the nanometer regime with SECCM routinely, which potentially can largely expand the field of SECCM applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Gold* / chemistry
  • Hydrogen
  • Metal Nanoparticles*
  • Microscopy
  • Microscopy, Electrochemical, Scanning

Substances

  • Gold
  • Hydrogen