Alternating current impedance imaging of membrane pores using scanning electrochemical microscopy

Alternating current impedance imaging of a 6-mu m thick membrane containing conical-shaped pores (60-nm and 2.5-mu m diameter openings) using scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is described. Impedance images of the pore openings were obtained by rastering a glass-sealed conically shaped Pt tip (similar to 1-mu m radius) above the membrane surface, while measuring the total impedance between the tip and a large area Pt electrode located on the opposite side of the membrane. Individual pore openings in the high pore density membrane (similar to 8 x 10(4) pores/cm(2)) are observed in the SECM impedance image. The image contrast is due to the decrease in tip and membrane resistance, in the vicinity of the pore opening. An equivalent circuit for the SECM cell and membrane is proposed and evaluated against the measured SECM imaging impedance. Criteria for employing SECM in impedance mode to image membranes are discussed.