Carbon Thin‐Film Electrodes as High‐Performing Substrates for Correlative Single Entity Electrochemistry
Marc Brunet Cabré, Christian Schröder, Filippo Pota, Maida Aysla Costa de Oliveira, Hugo Nolan, Lua Henderson, Laurence Brazel, Dahnan Spurling, Valeria Nicolosi, Pietro Martinuz, Mariangela Longhi, Faidra Amargianou, Peer Bärmann, Tristan Petit, Kim McKelvey, Paula E. Colavita
Abstract
Abstract Correlative methods to characterize single entities by electrochemistry and microscopy/spectroscopy are increasingly needed to elucidate structure‐function relationships of nanomaterials. However, the technical constraints often differ depending on the characterization techniques to be applied in combination. One of the cornerstones of correlative single‐entity electrochemistry (SEE) is the substrate, which needs to achieve a high conductivity, low roughness, and electrochemical inertness. This work shows that graphitized sputtered carbon thin films constitute excellent electrodes for SEE while enabling characterization with scanning probe, optical, electron, and X‐ray microscopies. Three different correlative SEE experiments using nanoparticles, nanocubes, and 2D Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene materials are reported to illustrate the potential of using carbon thin film substrates for SEE characterization. The advantages and unique capabilities of SEE correlative strategies are further demonstrated by showing that electrochemically oxidized Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene display changes in chemical bonding and electrolyte ion distribution.