Real-time tracking of metal nucleation via local perturbation of hydration layers.
Real-time tracking of metal nucleation via local perturbation of hydration layers.
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DOI：
10.1038/s41467-017-01087-1
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发表时间：
2017-10-17
影响因子：
16.6
通讯作者：
Fermín DJ
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Harniman RL;Plana D;Carter GH;Bradley KA;Miles MJ;Fermín DJ
电极表面随机成核事件的实时可视化是电化学相形成中最复杂的挑战之一。金属沉积在异质衬底上的早期阶段的特征在于高度动态的过程，其中纳米颗粒在达到沉积和生长的临界尺寸之前成核和溶解。在这里，高速非接触式横向分子力显微镜采用垂直取向的探针被用来探索在电极表面的水化层的演变与前所未有的时空分辨率，和极低的探针表面相互作用力所需的，以避免中断或屏蔽的关键核的形成。据我们所知，纳米级铜沉积物的随机成核事件是可视化的真实的时间的第一次和一个高度动态的地形环境之前，形成的临界核被揭开，具有形成/再溶解的核，二维聚集和核生长。电化学沉积对于工业过程是重要的，然而，跟踪金属相成核的早期阶段是具有挑战性的。在这里，作者通过高速非接触横向分子力显微镜在真实的时间内可视化电极表面金属核的诞生和生长。
The real-time visualization of stochastic nucleation events at electrode surfaces is one of the most complex challenges in electrochemical phase formation. The early stages of metal deposition on foreign substrates are characterized by a highly dynamic process in which nanoparticles nucleate and dissolve prior to reaching a critical size for deposition and growth. Here, high-speed non-contact lateral molecular force microscopy employing vertically oriented probes is utilized to explore the evolution of hydration layers at electrode surfaces with the unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution, and extremely low probe-surface interaction forces required to avoid disruption or shielding the critical nucleus formation. To the best of our knowledge, stochastic nucleation events of nanoscale copper deposits are visualized in real time for the first time and a highly dynamic topographic environment prior to the formation of critical nuclei is unveiled, featuring formation/re-dissolution of nuclei, two-dimensional aggregation and nuclei growth. Electrochemical deposition is important for industrial processes however, tracking the early stages of metallic phase nucleation is challenging. Here, the authors visualize the birth and growth of metal nuclei at electrode surfaces in real time via high-speed non-contact lateral molecular force microscopy.