Scanning electrochemical microscopy of membrane transport in the reverse imaging mode

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), operated in reverse imaging mode (RIM), has been used to visualize the steady-state transport of molecules entering into porous membranes. RIM imaging is advantageous for investigating transport across biological membranes in situations where the SECM tip can access only the exterior membrane surface. Examples of RIM images of a synthetic membrane (mica with pores filled with the ion-selective polymer Nafion) and a biological membrane (hairless mouse skin) recorded during diffusive and iontophoretic transport, are reported. RIM imaging during diffusive transport allows visualization of the depletion of solute molecules in the solution adjacent to the pore openings. However, an accumulation of solute molecules above the pore opening is observed during iontophoresis, which is a consequence of the separation of the solute from the solvent (i.e., ultrafiltration). The separation results from differences in the rates of molecule transfer across the pore/solution interface when electroosmotic flow is operative. The results suggest that RIM imaging may be useful for measuring the kinetics of interfacial molecule transfer at biological membranes.