Electrochemical scanning tunneling microscope

The electrochemical scanning tunneling microscope (EC-STM) is a scanning tunneling microscope that measures the structures of surfaces and electrochemical reactions in solid-liquid interfaces at atomic or molecular scales.

On the electrode surface, many atoms, molecules, and ions adsorb and affect the reactions.

In the past, in order to obtain information about the structure of electrode surfaces and reactions, the sample electrode was taken out of the electrolytic solution and measured under ultra high vacuum (UHV) conditions.

In electrolytic solutions, a complicated electrical double layer of H2O molecules and anions is formed.

By using these four electrodes, the electrochemical reaction is controlled precisely by the external voltage, and the surface in liquid can be observed.