Atomic force microscopy (AFM) that can be simultaneously performed with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) using metallic tips attached to self-sensing quartz cantilevers (qPlus sensors) has advanced the field of surface science by allowing for unprecedented spatial resolution under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Performing simultaneous AFM and STM with atomic resolution in an electrochemical cell offers new possibilities to locally image both the vertical layering of the interfacial water and the lateral structure of the electrochemical interfaces. Here, a combined AFM/STM instrument realized with a qPlus sensor and a home-built potentiostat for electrochemical applications is presented. We demonstrate its potential by simultaneously imaging graphite with atomic resolution in acidic electrolytes. Additionally, we show its capability to precisely measure the interfacial solvent layering along the surface normal as a function of the applied potential.
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Electrochemical AFM/STM with a qPlus sensor: A versatile tool to study solid-liquid interfaces
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7 November 2023
Research Article|
November 01 2023
Electrochemical AFM/STM with a qPlus sensor: A versatile tool to study solid-liquid interfaces
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2023 JCP Emerging Investigators Special Collection
Andrea Auer
;
Andrea Auer
a)
(Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing)
Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics, University of Regensburg
, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected]
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Bernhard Eder
;
Bernhard Eder
(Investigation, Visualization, Writing – review & editing)
Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics, University of Regensburg
, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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Franz J. Giessibl
Franz J. Giessibl
(Conceptualization, Methodology, Resources, Writing – review & editing)
Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics, University of Regensburg
, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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Andrea Auer
a)
Bernhard Eder
Franz J. Giessibl
Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics, University of Regensburg
, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected]
J. Chem. Phys. 159, 174201 (2023)
Article history
Received:
July 18 2023
Accepted:
August 29 2023
Citation
Andrea Auer, Bernhard Eder, Franz J. Giessibl; Electrochemical AFM/STM with a qPlus sensor: A versatile tool to study solid-liquid interfaces. J. Chem. Phys. 7 November 2023; 159 (17): 174201. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0168329
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