In-situ imaging of the electrode surface during electrochemical reactions with a beetle-type electrochemical scanning tunneling microscope

In this paper, we present the design and performances of a beetle-type electrochemical scanning tunneling microscope (EC-STM) which allows horizontal tip motion at millimeter range (5 mm x 5 mm). With its symmetrical scanner design inducing a relatively low thermal drift, the beetle-type EC-STM has the desirable ability to operate in a variety of chemical reactions. Atom-resolved high-resolution STM images of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and Au(111) surfaces in the liquid phase are presented to confirm the scan performance of the beetle-type EC-STM, which also provides in situ information on the electrode surface during electrochemical reactions, including adsorbed- and desorbed- electrolyte and metal electrodeposition. These systemically obtained STM images on the electrode surface clearly demonstrate the high stability of the newly developed ECSTM under reaction conditions.

Automated summary

This paper presents the design and performances of a beetle-type electrochemical scanning tunneling microscope (EC-STM) that allows horizontal tip motion at a millimeter range. The symmetrical scanner design of the beetle-type EC-STM reduces thermal drift and enables operation in various chemical reactions. Atom-resolved high-resolution scanning tunneling microscope images of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and Au(111) surfaces in the liquid phase demonstrate the scan performance of the beetle-type EC-STM, which also provides real-time information on the electrode surface during electrochemical reactions.