The Wonderful World of Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM)

Abstract: In its simplest form, SECM is a scanning probe technique in which a small scale electrode is scanned across an immersed substrate while recording the current response. This response is dependent on both the surface topography and the electrochemical activity of the substrate. Consequently, using an array of operational modes, a wide variety of substrates and experimental systems can be characterized. The strength of SECM lies in its ability to quantify material flux from a surface with a high spatial and temporal resolution. As a result, it has been used in a variety of applications fields, (Figure 1).

In this presentation, we will first describe the fundamentals of SECM, including the required instrumentation and the principles of the most frequently used operational modes. Following this basic understanding of SECM principles, we then move towards a comprehensive summary of the critical parameters for any SECM experiment. More specifically, we will discuss in detail redox mediators, probes, and solvent systems that are used in SECM experiments. Finally, we will discuss recent applications of SECM, with an emphasis on our work in the last five years (2009-2015) related to cancer cells, corrosion and batteries.