Selective Reductive Desorption of a SAM-Coated Gold Electrode Revealed Using Fluorescence Microscopy

• DOI: 10.1021/ja0494095
• Publication Date: 2004-06-30T04:55:15Z
• Authors: Jeff L. Shepherd; Arnold Kell; Emily Chung; Chad W. Sinclar; Mark S. Workentin; Dan Bizzotto
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

The reductive desorption of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) fluorescent thiol molecule (BodipyC10SH) from Au was characterized using electrochemistry and epi-fluorescence microscopy. Molecular luminescence is quenched near metal surface, so fluorescence only observed for molecules reductively desorbed then separated the electrode surface. Fluorescence imaging showed that selective, with occurring different regions depending on extent negative potential excursion. When desorbed, were sufficiently mobile, diffusing away thereby preventing oxidative readsorption. At potentials, all resulting in at air/solution interface. selective removal distinct correlated to features surface explained through potential-dependent interfacial energies. This situ electrofluorescence microscopy technique may be useful sensor development.