In-situ Electrochemistry AFM STM

Electrochemistry encompasses several major areas: galvanic cells (batteries and fuel cells generating electrical energy from chemical reactions), electrolytic cells (using electrical energy to drive non-spontaneous reactions), corrosion electrochemistry (studying metal degradation), analytical electrochemistry (voltammetry, potentiometry for chemical analysis), and electrodeposition (plating and surface modification). AFM/STM instruments enable nanoscale characterization across all these areas, particularly for studying electrode surfaces, ion transport mechanisms, and interface reactions in real-time under electrochemical control.

The four primary electrode classifications are: reference electrodes (maintaining stable potential for measurements, such as Ag/AgCl or saturated calomel electrodes), working electrodes (where the electrochemical reaction occurs, made from materials like platinum, gold, or carbon), counter electrodes (completing the electrical circuit without interfering with working electrode reactions), and indicator electrodes (responding to specific ion concentrations for analytical measurements). Molecular Imaging's AFM/STM systems can image and characterize all electrode types at atomic resolution in operando conditions.

Electrochemical AFM combines nanoscale topographical imaging with simultaneous electrochemical control. A specialized liquid cell houses the electrochemical setup with working, reference, and counter electrodes while the AFM probe scans the surface. This allows researchers to observe real-time morphological changes during battery charging/discharging, corrosion processes, electrodeposition, and catalytic reactions. Molecular Imaging's systems feature acid/base/solvent-compatible liquid cells, environmental isolation chambers, and anti-drift stages for stable long-duration electrochemical experiments with sub-angstrom vertical resolution.

Molecular Imaging's electrochemistry AFM systems offer flexible scan ranges to match application requirements. The pendulum multipurpose scanner provides options from 9μm × 9μm for atomic-resolution studies of electrode surface structure to 90μm × 90μm for characterizing larger battery electrode areas and heterogeneous surfaces. This versatility allows researchers to examine individual active sites at the nanoscale and correlate findings with larger-scale electrode performance, all within the same modular platform without changing instruments.

Yes, advanced AFM modes provide comprehensive electrochemical characterization beyond surface topography. Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) maps surface potential and work function variations across electrode surfaces. Electrochemical Force Microscopy (EFM) detects local electrical fields and charge distributions. Conductive AFM (CSAFM) measures current flow with nanoscale spatial resolution. Combined with MAC Mode for soft materials and STM for conductive samples, Molecular Imaging's modular nose cone system enables multi-technique analysis of electrochemical interfaces, revealing structure-property relationships critical for battery, fuel cell, and corrosion research.

Reliable electrochemical AFM requires precise environmental control to minimize drift and maintain electrochemical stability. Molecular Imaging systems include patented temperature-controlled sample stages spanning -30°C to 250°C with anti-drift design, environmental isolation chambers for humidity and atmosphere control, and compatibility with low-oxygen or inert gas environments. These features enable stable long-term imaging during electrochemical processes, prevent sample degradation, and allow researchers to study temperature-dependent phenomena in battery materials, corrosion mechanisms, and catalytic reactions under controlled conditions matching real-world operating environments.