An Integrated, Exchangeable Three-Electrode Electrochemical Setup for AFM-Based Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Scanning Probe Microscopy
• Materials Science

Background:

• Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is a powerful technique for analyzing electrochemical reactions at a local scale.
• SECM combined with atomic force microscopy (AFM) offers correlated topographical and electrochemical data.
• The performance of SECM is highly dependent on probe design, but fluid cell and electrode setup have been less explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a universal three-electrode setup for SECM applicable to diverse fluid cells.
• To enhance the integration of electrodes for improved handling and broader applicability.
• To demonstrate high-resolution electrochemical measurements with the novel setup.

Main Methods:

• Integration of working, counter, and reference electrodes near the AFM cantilever.
• Adaptation of conventional AFM fluid cells for SECM experiments.
• Testing the setup in liquid drops for versatile measurements.

Main Results:

• Achieved high-resolution SECM, resolving features below 250 nm.
• Demonstrated equivalent electrochemical performance compared to macroscopic electrodes.
• Enabled the use of standard AFM fluid cells for SECM.

Conclusions:

• The novel universal three-electrode setup significantly improves SECM implementation.
• This approach enhances SECM versatility, allowing measurements in various environments.
• The developed setup facilitates high-resolution electrochemical analysis with improved handling.