Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy and Ultramicroelectrode Studies: Electrochemistry of Single Molecules and Nanoparticles

本项目由化学学部化学测量与成像项目资助。巴德教授和他在德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的团队进一步开发了扫描电化学显微镜（SECM）和超微电极，以包括在低浓度（fM）和提高灵敏度下的新应用。这项工作将化学分析的方法从测量大量分子（集合）产生的信号转变为测量单个分子，一次一个。单个实体的性质以及组成和结构的影响可以在单个基础上进行研究。目标是将单一实体电化学的极限推向前所未有的灵敏度。这些活动还有助于培养多样化的、具有全球竞争力的STEM劳动力。项目解决培训和技术转移的目标是培养学生和专业研究人员应用新的方法和方法来解决他们自己的研究问题。青年化学家参与国家重要领域的多学科科学研究。这些研究人员与PI和访问科学家密切合作，获得了宝贵的经验。在这些基础研究中，数字电化学允许对单个分析物物种和单个实体进行计数，并一次专门检测一个。中心推力是对纳米粒子碰撞响应的改进理解，这种理解正在扩展到单原子探测领域，并可能扩展到单电子转移事件。该方法的独特之处在于：1)了解电极碰撞事件期间的详细电化学反应，2)检测和选择性识别单个小离子、分子和原子，以及3)开发使用纳米电极（小于10个电子，可能是单个电子转移事件）检测极少量电荷的方法。年轻的化学家接受先进技术的培训，通过小组会议、研讨会、教学、出版和会议报告进行互动。

This project is funded by the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program of the Division of Chemistry. Professor Bard and his team at the University of Texas at Austin further develop scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and ultramicroelectrodes to include new applications at lower concentrations (fM), and improved sensitivity. The work shifts the approach of chemical analysis for measurements of signals that arise from a very large number of molecules (ensembles) to measurements of single molecules, one at a time. Properties of single entities and effects of composition and structure can be investigated on an individual basis. The goal is to push the limits of single-entity electrochemistry to a regime of unprecedented sensitivity. The activities also contribute to the development of a diverse, globally competitive STEM workforce. Programs address training and technology transfer with the goal of training students and professional researchers to apply the new methods and approach to their own research problems. Young chemists participate in hands-on, multidisciplinary scientific research in areas of national importance. These researchers gain valuable experience, working closely with the PI and visiting scientists. In these fundamental studies, digital electrochemistry allows for single analyte species and single entities to be counted and specifically detected one at a time. The central thrust is the improved understanding of nanoparticle collision responses that is being extended to the area of detection of single atoms and potentially to single electron-transfer events. The approach is unique in focusing on: 1) understanding the detailed electrochemical responses during collision events at electrodes, 2) detecting and selectively identifying single small ions, molecules, and atoms, and 3) developing methods of detecting very small amounts of charge using nanoelectrodes (less than 10 electrons, perhaps single electron-transfer events). Young chemists are trained in advanced techniques, interact through group meetings, seminars, teaching, publishing, and conference presentations.