Nanoparticle impact electrochemistry

Electronic Circuit Simulations as a Tool to Understand Distorted Signals in Single-Entity Electrochemistry

“…The emerging field of “single-entity electrochemistry” (SEE) refers to measurement and interpretation of the electrical transient signals generated when a single entity, e.g., a nanoparticle, a single molecule, a droplet, a micelle, or a living cell, undergoes electrochemical processes at suitable interfaces, including micro- and nano-electrodes or -pipets, nanopores, etc. − The technique’s capability to probe a signal from single entities makes it powerful for delivering both individual and statistical information on these entities. This makes it beneficial for a broad range of investigations, including nanoparticle characterizations and dynamic transformations, − agglomeration study, ion diffusion and solvation studies, , detection and identification of single bacteria or viruses, − catalytic activity investigation of single enzymes, detection of conformation changes of a single DNA, single-molecule detection, battery material characterization, and investigation of the catalytic activity of individual nanoparticles. − …”

“…In contrast to conventional electrochemistry, SEE deals with low-current and short-duration electrochemical signals that are readily affected by the instrument’s circuitry and filtering required for the practical experiments. , For instance, Kätelhön et al proposed mechanistic models for a single spherical nanoparticle electrooxidation at a microelectrode during nano impact experiments. In this subset of SEE experiments, a signal is detected when a nanoparticle in a suspension randomly collides with an electrode (Figure A). , The authors also demonstrated that the modeled peak shapes and durations cannot be experimentally verified, since the severe distortions of the experimental impact signals obscure any interpretable spike characteristics . Since instrumentation’s internal circuitry contributes in distortions, the experimental spikes cannot be easily simulated solely using conventional electrochemical simulation tools.…”

“…In this subset of SEE experiments, a signal is detected when a nanoparticle in a suspension randomly collides with an electrode ( Figure 1 A). 4 , 26 The authors also demonstrated that the modeled peak shapes and durations cannot be experimentally verified, since the severe distortions of the experimental impact signals obscure any interpretable spike characteristics. 26 Since instrumentation’s internal circuitry contributes in distortions, the experimental spikes cannot be easily simulated solely using conventional electrochemical simulation tools.…”