High-Throughput Combinatorial Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Nanoscale Lithium Metal Plating.

The development of Li metal batteries requires a detailed understanding of complex nucleation and growth processes during electrodeposition. techniques offer a framework to study these phenomena by visualizing structural dynamics that can inform the design of uniform plating morphologies. Herein, we combine scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) with interference reflection microscopy (IRM) for a comprehensive investigation of Li nucleation and growth on lithiophilic thin-film gold electrodes.

Antimicrobial effects of silver nanoparticle-microspots on the mechanical properties of single bacteria.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) conjugated with polymers are well-known for their powerful and effective antimicrobial properties. In particular, the incorporation of AgNPs in biocompatible catecholamine-based polymers, such as polydopamine (PDA), has recently shown promising antimicrobial activity, due to the synergistic effects of the AgNPs, silver(I) ions released and PDA. In this study, we generated AgNPs-PDA-patterned surfaces by localised electrochemical depositions, using a double potentiostatic method scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM).

Universality of Hair as a Nucleant: Exploring the Effects of Surface Chemistry and Topography.

The ability to control crystal nucleation through the simple addition of a nucleating agent (nucleant) is desirable for a huge range of applications. However, effective nucleating agents are known for only a small number of systems, and many questions remain about the mechanisms by which they operate. Here, we explore the features that make an effective nucleant and demonstrate that the biological material hair-which naturally possesses a chemically and topographically complex surface structure-has excellent potential as an effective nucleating agent.

Proton and molecular permeation through the basal plane of monolayer graphene oxide.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer a prospect of membranes that combine negligible gas permeability with high proton conductivity and could outperform the existing proton exchange membranes used in various applications including fuel cells. Graphene oxide (GO), a well-known 2D material, facilitates rapid proton transport along its basal plane but proton conductivity across it remains unknown. It is also often presumed that individual GO monolayers contain a large density of nanoscale pinholes that lead to considerable gas leakage across the GO basal plane.

Multiscale Analysis of Electrocatalytic Particle Activities: Linking Nanoscale Measurements and Ensemble Behavior.

Nanostructured electrocatalysts exhibit variations in electrochemical properties across different length scales, and the intrinsic catalytic characteristics measured at the nanoscale often differ from those at the macro-level due to complexity in electrode structure and/or composition. This aspect of electrocatalysis is addressed herein, where the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity of β-Co(OH) platelet particles of well-defined structure is investigated in alkaline media using multiscale scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM). Microscale SECCM probes of ∼50 μm diameter provide voltammograms from (ca.