Low Current Scanning Electrochemical Microscope for Reactive Imaging of Energy and Structural Materials

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We are applying for an urgent replacement of the low-current scanning electrochemical microscope. This high-end electrochemical microscope (HEKA ELProScan 1) was acquired in 2012 with a CFI-JELF grant to Mauzeroll and has been used extensively by all current co-PIs in NSERC funded Discovery, Strategic and CRD grants. Multiple other NSERC funded groups use the requested replacement at McGill chemistry (Profs. Sleiman, Thibodeau, Lumb, Blum) and engineering (Prof. Kietzig), other universities (Profs. Masson UdeM, Moreau Concordia, Bélanger UQAM, Yung Seoul National University) and industries (Hydro-Quebec, NRC and General Motors). The urgency of this request is based on two facts. (i) The Z-piezo with ECS3 motor controller enabling the high-resolution movement of the microelectrodes in the microscope has been shipped back twice in two years for repair and is at the end of its life (as determined by HEKA). In combination with potentiostat current instabilities and the corrosion of the stage rails and bearings, we are currently unable to reach the high-resolution motions and currents needed for us to work with our microelectrodes and micropipettes (<1 µm diameter). This is a critical capability that is only available at a few universities in Canada, and the ongoing experimental limitations affects the already started PhDs projects. (ii) The existing NSERC research projects of the applicant (Mauzeroll) and co-applicants (Brochu, Bocher, Chromik and Schougaard) require the measurements of fA-pA level currents and 5 nm lateral resolution. While there are several instruments allowing low current measurements and nm topographical imaging separately, bridging the two measurements requires the use of the requested scanning electrochemical microscope. At the moment, these measurements are done on Mauzeroll's second newer instrument, which is overextended in terms of existing users. Considering the growing throughput of alloys and catalysts studied in our NSERC funded projects and the role of such measurements in HQP training, we must replace this research tool at McGill. The request will allow us to continue the quantitative measurements across the variety of samples (alloys, coatings, catalyst materials) and size scales (5nm-15mm) as funded by the original 2012 CFI award and will enhance the research capability of 4 NSERC funded grants by reaching lower current levels offered by the newer model, which are required for our forthcoming scanning nanopipette studies described below. These measurements are critical for the development of catalyst and corrosion resistant materials. The instrument will continue to be accessible to the whole academic community.