Regensburg 2022 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

O: Fachverband Oberflächenphysik

O 34: Poster Tuesday: Scanning Probe Techniques 2

O 34.1: Poster

Tuesday, September 6, 2022, 11:00–13:00, P3

Implementation of a Scanning Tunneling Microscope for Measurements in Electrochemical Environment — •Fabian Schröfel, Matthias Greve, Karsten Tarhouni, and Olaf Magnussen — Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany

The atomic-scale understanding of processes at the interface between solid electrodes and liquid electrolytes is of high importance for electrochemical energy storage and conversion. Electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (ECSTM) is a key technique for the investigation of such interfaces. Operating an STM in an electrochemical environment requires special measures, as the potentials of both STM tip and sample need to be controlled and electrochemical currents at the tip need to be kept way below the tunneling current.

Here, we report details on a new ECSTM built in our group. It consists of a newly developed STM head that is optimized for studies in electrochemical environment, high scanning frequencies, and low thermal drift. The instrument is based on a commercial SPECS Nanonis STM controller that we equipped with a custom-build bipotentiostat and coarse-approach. A suitable control software for electrochemical studies, which we integrated into the Nanonis software, allows to perform cyclic voltammetry parallel and separate from the STM measurements. Characterization of the mechanical stability of the STM and first STM images and electrochemical data will be presented.