Perspective and Prospectus on Single-Entity Electrochemistry

Abstract

Single-entity electrochemistry (SEE) describes a recent trend in state-of-the-art electrochemistry applied to the study of individual "things." Conceptually, SEE covers fundamentals and applications of SEE, as well as methods and tools to make SEE measurements. SEE is especially appealing, as it unifies different branches of electrochemistry and comingles diverse approaches and techniques toward similar goals. In this Perspective, motivations and advantages of SEE are considered. A brief historical perspective and overview of recent ideas and directions in research in SEE are considered. In closing, future challenges, opportunities, and destinations related to SEE are discussed.

In situ formation of H-bonding imidazole chains in break-junction experiments

“…Single-entity experiments 1 and the advancement of computational methods 2 have increased our understanding of the behaviour of matter at the molecular level. A novel approach to the characterisation of individual molecules has been the fabrication of molecular junctions, 3,4 where a single entity is sandwiched between two biased metallic electrodes, and the current flowing through the nanoscale device is used as a characterisation signal.…”

Optical imaging of single-protein size, charge, mobility, and binding

“…Although ubiquitous in both research labs and industry, they are destructive, involving protein fragmentation and denaturation 10,13 . They also lack single-molecule analysis capability required for studying heterogenous processes and for improving sensitivity in precision diagnosis 14,15 .…”

Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis of a Single MOF‐Derived Composite Nanoparticle on the Tip of a Nanoelectrode

“…"Single-entity electrochemistry" aims to understand electrochemical phenomena at the molecular level down to individual electroactive sites,t ou ltimately explain fundamentals of electrochemical reactions. [1] This concept gained momentum after ultrasmall electrodes became accessible, which are capable of identifying transient, highly sensitive, ultralow amplitude signals resulting from the electrochemical response of nanoscale entities. [2] Its inception marks an ew frontier in "single-entity" studies,b reaking away from deducing nanoparticle behavior from bulk-continuum statistical ensemble analysis at macroelectrodes.…”