Probing surface electrochemical activity of nanomaterials using a hybrid atomic force microscope-scanning electrochemical microscope (Afm-secm)

Xiaonan Shi, Qingquan Ma, Taha Marhaba, Wen Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is used to measure the local electrochemical behavior of liquid/solid, liquid/gas and liquid/liquid interfaces. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a versatile tool to characterize micro-and nanostructure in terms of topography and mechanical properties. However, conventional SECM or AFM provides limited laterally resolved information on electrical or electrochemical properties at nanoscale. For instance, the activity of a nanomaterial surface at crystal facet levels is difficult to resolve by conventional electrochemistry methods. This paper reports the application of a combination of AFM and SECM, namely, AFM-SECM, to probe nanoscale surface electrochemical activity while acquiring high-resolution topographical data. Such measurements are critical to understanding the relationship between nanostructure and reaction activity, which is relevant to a wide range of applications in material science, life science and chemical processes. The versatility of the combined AFM-SECM is demonstrated by mapping topographical and electrochemical properties of faceted nanoparticles (NPs) and nanobubbles (NBs), respectively. Compared to previously reported SECM imaging of nanostructures, this AFM-SECM enables quantitative assessment of local surface activity or reactivity with higher resolution of surface mapping.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere61111
Pages (from-to)1-23
Number of pages23
JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments
Volume2021
Issue number168
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Neuroscience
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Probing surface electrochemical activity of nanomaterials using a hybrid atomic force microscope-scanning electrochemical microscope (Afm-secm)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this