Observation of Multipeak Collision Behavior during the Electro-Oxidation of Single Ag Nanoparticles

The dynamic collision behavior of the electro-oxidation of single Ag nanoparticles is observed at Au microelectrodes using stochastic single-nanoparticle collision amperometry. Results show that an Ag nanoparticle collision/oxidation event typically consists of a series of 1 to ∼10 discrete "sub-events" over an ∼20 ms interval. Results also show that the Ag nanoparticles typically undergo only partial oxidation prior to diffusing away from the Au electrode into the bulk solution. Both behaviors are characterized and shown to exist under a variety of experimental conditions. These previously unreported behaviors suggest that nanoparticle collision and electro-dissolution is a highly dynamic process driven by fast particle-electrode interactions and nanoparticle diffusion.