Preparation of STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscopy) Tips for In-Situ Characterization of Electrode Surfaces

Abstract

The total current between the tip and the sample in a scanning tunneling microscopy study of a solid/liquid interface can be dominated by faradaic charge transfer currents. In such a situation feedback control of the tunneling gap, and imaging, is precluded. In this contribution we describe the preparation of glass or polymer coated STM tips that possess < 100 A2 of exposed metal. These tips effectively discriminate against faradaic current and enable STM imaging in the presence of reversible electroactive solution species at appreciable tip/sample biases. Electrochemistry, Tip preparation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 28, 1988
Accession Number
ADA201868

Entities

People

  • Calvin F. Quate
  • Michael J. Heber
  • Moris M. Dovek
  • Nathan S. Lewis
  • Reginald M. Penner

Organizations

  • California Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aqueous Solutions
  • California
  • Charge Transfer
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Classification
  • Electrochemistry
  • Electrodes
  • Electrons
  • Field Emission
  • Liquids
  • Military Research
  • New Jersey
  • Photoelectrochemical Cells
  • Schematic Diagrams
  • Translations
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Electrochemical Surface Science
  • Materials Science (Mechanical Engineering).