The role of electrochemical reactions during electrophoretic particle deposition

Platinum microelectrodes were fabricated on a sapphire substrate by lithographic patterning and used to manipulate 1.58 microm silica particles in the plane of the substrate. A digital video system captured the motion of particles far from the electrodes and their deposition onto the working electrode during application of a DC potential. The role of electrode reversibility was investigated by comparing as-deposited electrodes with electrodes modified by electrolytic plating of platinum. Particles were also observed adhering to the substrate before reaching the electrode. The zeta potential of the particles and substrate was measured. The differing surface chemistry of the two systems and a local reduction in pH due to the production of hydrogen ion at the anode can explain the adhesion phenomena. Force distance curves were recorded using a colloid probe atomic force microscopy technique to directly measure the interaction of the silica particles with the sapphire substrate. These data validated the observed adhesion at the electrode and provided further support for the temporal and spatial reduction in pH. The role of Faradaic processes and the diffusion of potential determining ions in electrophoretic deposition were also considered.