Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.134, No.32, 13212-13215, 2012
Observation of Single Metal Nanoparticle Collisions by Open Circuit (Mixed) Potential Changes at an Ultramicroelectrode
Single nanoparticle (NP) collisions were successfully observed by a potentiometric measurement. The open circuit potential (OCP) of a measuring Au ultramicroelectrode (UME) changes when Pt NPs collide with the UME in a hydrazine solution. The OCP change is related to the redox processes, the concentration of particles, particle size, and electrode size. Compared with the amperometric technique, this approach has several advantages: higher sensitivity, simpler apparatus, fewer problems with NP decomposition, and contamination.