单纳米颗粒在超微电极上的碰撞电化学分析：微电极和纳米管电极

纳米颗粒的功能与其尺寸、电荷密度和表面化学性质等密切相关,因此研究其内在关系至关重要。近年来,基于纳米颗粒碰撞的电化学方法可以实现对单个纳米颗粒的尺寸、浓度和聚集状态快速检测,进而有效区分纳米颗粒的个体差异和探索单个颗粒活性-结构之间的关系。鉴于电极的尺寸、形状对单颗粒碰撞结果存在显著影响,本文将重点介绍不同颗粒（金属、半导体和绝缘体）与传统超微电极和纳米管电极之间的碰撞行为,并基于目前纳米电化学碰撞技术的不足,展望未来纳米电化学碰撞技术的发展方向。     

纳米电极上单个银纳米颗粒氧化电流分辨能力的研究

在单体电化学的研究中,提高信号分辨能力是一项挑战.缩小电极尺寸有利于对体系噪音电流的控制,有望提高电流的分辨能力.本研究制备了直径为480 nm的铂纳米圆盘电极,选用银纳米颗粒碰撞电极产生银电化学氧化行为作为模型,考察了纳米电极相对于微米电极在单体电化学信号分辨能力上的优化作用.研究表明,不同尺寸电极上观察到的银纳米颗粒的碰撞频率符合扩散控制的碰撞规律.说明单个电流信号对应于单个纳米颗粒的电化学氧化过程.同时,当电极尺寸缩小至纳米尺度后,噪音电流下降50%左右,提高了对银纳米颗粒碰撞电极过程中氧化电流的分辨能力.研究结果表明使用纳米电极能进一步提高对单体电化学中微小电流的检测能力.     

单颗粒电化学分析

颗粒因其在基础研究和实际应用中均具有重要的价值,因而得到了广泛的关注.由于颗粒的功能和性质与其形貌、尺寸、电荷密度和表面化学性质等密切相关,因此,发展可用于单个颗粒(简称单颗粒)检测和分析的方法对于了解颗粒结构与性能的关系,进而研究其功能将具有重要的意义.单颗粒电化学(electrochemic alanalysis of single nanoparticle)检测技术是在最近几年发展起来的,由于其可以精确地探测单个纳米颗粒的性质(如表面电荷、几何尺寸、表面化学),因而展现出了诱人的应用前景.本文将对最近发展起来的单颗粒电化学检测方法进行详细介绍,并根据检测原理将单颗粒电化学检测分为3类:基于碰撞原理的微电极技术、基于电阻-脉冲原理的纳米通道技术以及基于电化学和其他方法的联用技术.基于此分类,重点综述单颗粒电化学检测的原理、方法和潜在的应用.     

基于光学成像技术的单颗粒电化学研究

光学显微镜技术具有高时空分辨率、高通量、高灵敏度、非接触等优点,十分适合于微观、异相界面的电子转移过程研究,因而在单颗粒电化学分析中展现出良好的应用前景.结合本课题组的研究工作,本文主要介绍了单分子荧光显微镜、表面等离激元共振显微镜、暗场显微镜及电化学发光四种光学显微技术在单纳米粒子电化学研究方面取得的最新研究进展,最...     

基于光学显微术的单粒子传感

基于光学显微术的单粒子传感技术是一种将光学显微镜等具有空间分辨能力的研究工具应用于分析传感领域的检测技术.该技术将单个纳米粒子视作一个完整的纳米传感器,分子识别和信号转换均在单个纳米粒子界面上完成,信号读取则通过不同种类的光学显微镜来实现.与宏观的纳米传感器相比,单粒子传感技术通过对单个纳米粒子的光学特征信号进行测量、计数和追踪,可以获得局域微区内分析物的定性和定量信息,从而具有高灵敏度、高通量和可用于微观复杂体系的动态检测等显著优点.首先简要回顾了单粒子光学传感技术的发展历史和国内外研究现状,随后介绍了其主要技术特点,并重点综述了该领域近五年内的重要研究成果.最后指出通过纳米探针、光学成像技术和多维数据处理等多方面的持续发展,可进一步提高单粒子光学传感器的性能,有望使其在分析科学、生命科学和材料科学等诸多领域获得更加广泛和深入的应用.     

纳米尺度扫描电化学显微镜的探针制备及在电催化氧和氢反应研究中的应用

扫描电化学显微镜是一种在检测样品表面物理形貌的同时能提供丰富的电化学信息的扫描探针技术,由于超微电极的引入,它可以高时空分辨率地探究各类样品的物理形貌和电化学性能之间的构效关系. 随着现代纳米科技的不断发展,扫描探针的尺寸也逐渐从亚微米发展到纳米级别. 与此同时,高效优选各类氧反应和氢反应电催化材料,明晰其电化学反应过程和性能是二十一世纪绿色新能源转换存储系统（如可再生燃料电池、金属空气电池等）的重要研究方向. 本文首先概括了可应用于扫描电化学显微镜的纳米级扫描探针的制备及发展,之后着重介绍了近四年纳米尺度扫描电化学显微镜在电催化氧反应和氢反应研究中的一些最新研究进展. 最后以点窥面,对未来纳米尺度扫描电化学显微镜的未来发展趋势作了展望.     

原位电化学扫描探针显微镜技术在电催化领域的应用进展（英文）

在电化学界面,电催化过程通常包括电子转移、吸附和脱附、静电相互作用、溶剂化及去溶剂化等多步过程,深入理解电催化反应机理极具挑战性.对纳米结构电化学界面(电极)处电催化过程的深入理解十分有助于阐明电催化反应机理和设计高性能电催化剂材料.电催化活性通常与电催化剂表面局域化的活性位点密切有关.在反应条件下,电催化反应过程的研究极大依赖于高分辨表征技术.经典的宏观电化学表征方法仅可以提供不同界面位点的平均信息,很难分辨一些特殊结构位点(如缺陷、晶界、边缘位点)的相关重要电化学信息.原位电化学扫描探针显微镜技术,包括电化学扫描隧道显微镜(EC-STM)、电化学原子力显微镜(EC-AFM)、扫描电化学显微镜(SECM)及扫描电化学池显微镜(SECCM),能够在纳米及原子尺度研究电催化反应过程,弥补了宏观表征方法的不足,为探究构效关系和解析电催化反应机理提供了机遇.本文介绍了各种扫描显微技术的基本原理、特点及优劣势,并且概述了各项技术在电催化领域研究的重大进展.EC-STM和EC-AFM能够原位表征电催化过程中的纳米尺度表面结构演变及吸附/脱附过程,但无法直接测量局部电化学活性(法拉第电流).通过S...     

ECSTM针尖诱导构筑Au表面有序Pd纳米粒子阵列

利用电化学扫描隧道显微镜(ECSTM)在温和的电化学和隧道偏压的条件下诱导电极表面发生特定的局域电化学反应, 在Au(111)单晶电极表面构筑了Pd纳米粒子的阵列. 研究了两种不同的溶液体系(PdCl2和PdSO4)构筑纳米粒子所需设定的不同参数, 同时探讨了选择不同参数的原因.     

暗场显微镜下的彩色“纳米星”（英文）

具有独特局域表面等离子共振散射特性的贵金属纳米粒子,在可见光区域表现出明显的吸收和散射光谱特性。在过去的几十年中,基于纳米金和纳米银溶液的可视化颜色传感器,被广泛应用在金属离子、生物分子、农药等灵敏检测。自2000年,暗场显微镜的出现,实现了纳米尺度下等离子共振散射光谱的精准获取,将传感尺度从传统的实验试管发展到单纳米颗粒界面。单颗粒检测消除了本体溶液中大量纳米粒子产生的平均效应,可提供更加准确的反应信息。纳米粒子的散射光谱主要取决于颗粒的尺寸、形貌、成分以及颗粒间耦合作用等,因此,具有特定散射颜色的单个纳米粒子,可以作为优异的纳米探针。这篇综述聚焦于单颗粒纳米传感,首先介绍了纳米粒子局域表面等离子共振的原理和发展历史。随后,主要讨论了单个贵金属纳米粒子作为颜色编码传感器,在生物分子、环境污染物以及能源等领域的应用,尤其是基于单颗粒的原位纳米光谱电化学传感及其在电催化反应中的应用。例如,利用纳米粒子的溶出和生长过程,精巧地设计了针对不同待测物的纳米探针。另一方面,对单纳米粒子结构演变过程的原位监测,也有助于对纳米材料制备机理的理解。最后,着重探讨了纳米颜色传感器信号提取放大的检测手段,...     

构建多模式全光谱暗场显微镜用于纳米单颗粒局域表面等离子共振实时动力学研究

金属纳米颗粒由于其局域表面等离子共振(LSPR),能显示出独特的光吸收和散射特性,常被应用于物理、化学和生物领域的分析检测。这类探针具有高强度、高稳定性,以及可以长时间成像观察等优势。对于单个金属纳米颗粒的LSPR光谱研究通常采用暗场显微镜(DFM)与光谱仪来观察。但是,现有的暗场显微镜-光谱仪联用装置受限于自带照明光源的强度与光谱范围等原因,造成对散射信号较弱的样品光谱采集时间长、采集范围窄,例如,无法做到对粒径在30 nm以下的小颗粒纳米金进行实时观察。本文针对这一问题使用超连续激光器作为光源,使对单个金属纳米颗粒的光谱采集时间可以缩短至1 ms。此外,针对细胞功能成像的需求,增加了光片成像模式,通过切换滤块,能够实现荧光成像与暗场成像的共定位。     

单个Nafion@Ru和Au-Nafion@Ru纳米粒子的电化学和电化学发光碰撞行为研究

通过静电作用在Nafion和Au-Nafion纳米粒子(NPs)上负载钌联吡啶(Ru(bpy)32+)分别制得Nafion@Ru和Au-Nafion@Ru NPs.分析并比较了Au-Nafion@Ru和Nafion@Ru NPs在金超微电极(Au UME)上随机碰撞产生电流响应峰的平均峰大小、峰电量和单峰持续时间,建立...     

Various Current Responses of Single Silver Nanoparticle Collisions on a Gold Ultramicroelectrode Depending on the Collision Conditions

Collisions of silver nanoparticles (NPs) with a more electrocatalytic gold or platinum ultramicroelectrode (UME) surface have been observed by using an electrochemical method. Depending on the applied potential to the UME, the current response to the collision of Ag NPs on the UME resulted in various shape changes. A staircase decrease, a blip decrease, and a blip increase of the hydrazine oxidation current were obtained at an applied potential of 0.33, 0.80, and 1.3 V, respectively. Different collision behaviors of Ag NPs on the UME surface were suggested for each shape of current response. Ag NP attachment, which hindered the diffusion flux to the UME, caused a staircase decrease of the electrocatalytic current. Instantaneous blocking of the hydrazine oxidation by Ag NP collision and, following recovery of the current by means of oxidation of Ag NP, caused a blip decrease of the electrocatalytic current. The formation of a higher oxidation state of Ag on the Ag NP and its electrocatalytic hydrazine oxidation resulted in a blip increase of the electrocatalytic current. The analysis of the current response of a single NP collision experiment can be a useful tool to understand the various behaviors of NPs on the electrode surface.     

Analysis of diffusion-controlled stochastic events of iridium oxide single nanoparticle collisions by scanning electrochemical microscopy

We investigated the electrochemical detection of single iridium oxide nanoparticle (IrO(x) NP) collisions at the NaBH(4)-treated Pt ultramicroelectrode (UME) in a scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) over an insulating surface. The NP collision events were monitored by observing the electrocatalytic water oxidation reaction at potentials where it does not take place on the Pt UME. These collisions occurred stochastically, resulting in a transient response ("blip") for each collision. The frequency of the collisions is proportional to the flux of NPs to the UME tip, and thus equivalent to the SECM current. A plot of collision frequency versus distance followed the theoretical approach curve behavior for negative feedback for a high concentration of mediator, demonstrating that the collisions were diffusion-controlled and that single-particle measurements of mass transport are equivalent to ensemble ones. When the SECM was operated with a Pt substrate at the same potential as the tip, the behavior followed that expected of the shielding mode. These studies and additional ones result in a model where the IrO(x) NP collision on the Pt UME is adsorptive, with oxygen produced by the catalyzed water oxidation causing a current decay. This results in a blip current response, with the current decay diminished in the presence of the oxygen scavenger, sulfite ion. Random walk and theoretical bulk simulations agreed with the proposed mechanism of IrO(x) NP collision, adsorption, and subsequent deactivation.     

Stochastic electrochemistry with electrocatalytic nanoparticles at inert ultramicroelectrodes--theory and experiments

Collisions of several kinds of metal or metal oxide single nanoparticles (NPs) with a less catalytic electrode surface have been observed through amplification of the current by electrocatalysis. Two general types of current response, a current staircase or a current blip (or spike) are seen with particle collisions. The current responses were caused by random individual events as a function of time rather than the usual continuous current caused by an ensemble of a large number of events. The treatment of stochastic electrochemistry like single NP collisions is different from the usual model for ensemble-based electrochemical behaviour. Models for the observed responses are discussed, including simulations, and the frequency of the steps or blips investigated for several systems experimentally.     

DNA analysis by application of Pt nanoparticle electrochemical amplification with single label response

This study demonstrates a highly sensitive sensing scheme for the detection of low concentrations of DNA, in principle down to the single biomolecule level. The previously developed technique of electrochemical current amplification for detection of single nanoparticle (NP) collisions at an ultramicroelectrode (UME) has been employed to determine DNA. The Pt NP/Au UME/hydrazine oxidation reaction was employed, and individual NP collision events were monitored. The Pt NP was modified with a 20-base oligonucleotide with a C6 spacer thiol (detection probe), and the Au UME was modified with a 16-base oligonucleotide with a C6 spacer thiol (capture probe). The presence of a target oligonucleotide (31 base) that hybridized with both capture and detection probes brought a Pt NP on the electrode surface, where the resulting electrochemical oxidation of hydrazine resulted in a current response.     

Direct Observation of the Collision of Single Pt Nanoparticles onto Single‐Crystalline Gold Nanowire Electrodes

We observed the collision of single Pt nanoparticles (NPs) onto an Au nanowire (NW) electrode by using electrocatalytic amplification. Previously, such observations had typically been performed by using a microscale disk‐type ultramicroelectrode (UME). The use of a NW electrode decreased the background noise current and provided a shielding effect, owing to adsorption of the NPs onto the insulating sheath. Therefore, the transient current signal that was caused by the collision of single NPs could be more clearly distinguished from the background current by using a NW electrode instead of a UME. Furthermore, the use of a NW electrode increased the collisional frequency and the magnitude of the transient current signal. The experimental data were analyzed by using a theoretical model and a random walk simulation model.     

Observation of single metal nanoparticle collisions by open circuit (mixed) potential changes at an ultramicroelectrode

Single nanoparticle (NP) collisions were successfully observed by a potentiometric measurement. The open circuit potential (OCP) of a measuring Au ultramicroelectrode (UME) changes when Pt NPs collide with the UME in a hydrazine solution. The OCP change is related to the redox processes, the concentration of particles, particle size, and electrode size. Compared with the amperometric technique, this approach has several advantages: higher sensitivity, simpler apparatus, fewer problems with NP decomposition, and contamination.     

Combining Electrodeposition and Optical Microscopy for Probing Size‐Dependent Single‐Nanoparticle Electrochemistry

Electrodeposition of nanoparticles (NPs) is a promising route for the preparation of highly electroactive nanostructured electrodes. By taking advantage of progressive electrodeposition, disordered arrays with a wide size distribution of Ag NPs are produced. Combined with surface‐reaction monitoring by using highly sensitive backside absorbing‐layer optical microscopy (BALM), such arrays offer a platform for screening size‐dependent electrochemistry at the single NP level. In particular, this strategy allows rationalizing the electrodeposition dynamics at the single‐NP level (>10 nm), up to the point of quantifying the presence of metal nanoclusters (<2 nm), and probing easier NP oxidation with size decrease, either through electrochemical or galvanic reactions.     

A Snapshot of the Properties of Single Nanoparticles at the Moment of a Collision

Direct electrochemical characterization of freely moving nanoparticles (NPs) at the individual particle level is challenging. A method is presented that can achieve this goal based on the collision between a NP and an ultramicroelectrode (UME). By applying a sinusoidal potential to the UME and monitoring the current response in the frequency domain, a sudden change in the phase angle indicates the arrival of a NP at the UME. The response induced by the collision can be isolated and used to explore the properties of the NP. This method, analogous to a high‐speed camera, can obtain a snapshot of the properties of the single NP at the moment of a collision. The proposed method was employed to investigate the properties of both the hard catalytic Pt NP and soft electroactive emulsion droplets, and many new insights were revealed thereafter. The method also has the potential to be applied in many other fields, where the interested signals appear as discrete events.     

Observation of Single Pt Nanoparticle Collisions: Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activity on a Pd Ultramicroelectrode

Single Pt nanoparticle (NP) collisions on an electrode surface were detected by using an electrocatalytic amplification method with a Pd ultramicroelectrode (UME). Pd is not a preferred material for UMEs for the detection of single Pt NP collisions, because Pd shows similar electrocatalytic activity compared with Pt for hydrazine oxidation, thus resulting in a high background current level. However, a Pt NP colliding on the Pd UME shows greatly enhanced activity compared with a Pt NP on an inert UME, such as a Au UME, which is usually used for the detection of single Pt NP collisions. The use of an electroactive UME material instead of an inert one facilitated the study of single‐NP activity on the various solid supports, which is important in many NP applications.