Simultaneous visualization of surface topography and concentration field by means of scanning electrochemical microscopy using a single electrochemical probe and impedance spectroscopy

Scanning electrochemical microscopy visualizes concentration profiles. To determine the location of the probe relative to topographical features of the substrate, knowledge of the probe-to-sample distance at each probe position is required. The use of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for obtaining information on the substrate-to-probe distance and on the concentration of interest using the electrochemical probe alone is suggested. By tuning the frequencies of interrogation, the probe-to-substrate distance can be derived followed by interrogation of processes that carry information on concentration at lower frequencies. These processes may include charge-transfer relaxation, diffusional relaxation at the electrode, and open-circuit potential at zero frequency. A potentiometric chloride sensing microprobe is used herein to reconstruct both topography and the concentration field at a microscopic diffusional source of chloride.