Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM): Fundamentals and Applications in Life Sciences

Abstract

In recent years, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) has made significant contributions to the life sciences. Innovative developments focusing on high-resolution imaging, developing novel operation modes, and combining SECM with complementary optical or scanning probe techniques renders SECM an attractive analytical approach. This chapter gives an introduction to the essential instrumentation and operation principles of SECM for studying biologically-relevant systems. Particular emphasis is given to applications aimed at imaging the activity of biochemical constituents such as enzymes, antibodies, and DNA, which play a pivotal role in biomedical diagnostics. Furthermore, the unique advantages of SECM and combined techniques for studying live cells is highlighted by discussion of selected examples.

Quantitative Feedback Referencing for Improved Kinetic Fitting of Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy Measurements

“…There are four methods currently used to estimate the tip-to-substrate distance. The first method involves the use of an additional technique for measuring topography based on shearforce, − impedance (AC)-SECM, ,, intermittent contact (IC)-SECM, , or atomic force microscopy (AFM)-SECM, − which all have been previously demonstrated to track the tip-to-substrate distance independently. Existing methods can certainly circumvent problems arising from varying topography but require sophisticated instrumentation and can complicate experimental procedures, probe fabrication, and data interpretation.…”

Flux: Software for Analysing SECM Data

“…Advances in microelectrode fabrication, [1][2][3] instrumentation, [4][5][6] and theory [7][8][9] have made SECM more accessible in terms of both understanding and cost to researchers interested in a broad range of applications, which a number of recent subject specific reviews have discussed in more detail. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Though a variety of SECM modes and microelectrode geometries have emerged with their own niches in terms of potential applications, most experiments still fall under one of four categories: cyclic voltammograms, approach curves, chronoamperograms, and images. Each of these categories possesses a standard set of analyses focused on qualitative or quantitative analysis of a localized process.…”