INSITU SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPY - NEW INSIGHT FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL ELECTRODE SURFACE INVESTIGATIONS

The successful expansion which the scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) has had is dependent on its ability to examine surfaces on a sub-nanometric scale and on providing in situ (i.e. in the presence of bulk electrolyte) sample examination. In addition to the ability to study metals and semiconductors in vacuo, the application of the technique to surfaces in contact with an electrolytic solution has prompted increased interest amongst electrochemists. We discuss herein the technique, with particular reference to advances in electrochemical applications. A new scanning tunneling microscope for operation in electrolytic environments is described. Atomic force microscopy, scanning electrochemical microscopy and scanning ion-conducting microscopy are compared with the STM. © 1990.