Electrochemical Observation of Single Collision Events: Fullerene Nanoparticles

Abstract

Individual fullerene nanoparticles are detected and sized in a non-aqueous solution via cathodic particle coulometry where the direct, quantitative reduction of single nanoparticles is achieved upon collision with a potentiostated gold electrode. This is the first time that the nanoparticle impact technique has been shown to work in a non-aqueous electrolyte and utilized to coulometrically size carbonaceous nanoparticles. Contrast is drawn between single-nanoparticle electrochemistry and that seen using nanoparticle ensembles via modified electrodes.

Towards better understanding of C60organosols

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Therefore, it is important to better understand their behavior in a solution. One of the specific features of fullerenes is their ability to form aggregates.…”

“…8,38,41 In contrast, in polar or 'poor' organic solvents, the formation of colloidal species is undoubtedly proven. 9,[11][12][13][14][31][32][33][34][35] Typical examples are aggregates in N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one-acetonitrile mixed solvent, 3 toluene (benzene) mixtures with acetonitrile, 9,12,36 N-methylpyrrolidin-2-one 11,33 and other polar solvents, 13 DMSO, 31 acetonitrile, acetone, ethanol, methanol, and other polar solvents. 32,35,42 Though the stability and coagulation of aqueous C 60 colloids via electrolytes has been examined in full, 14,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] the corresponding research for organosols is absent to the best of the authors knowledge.…”

Time-Resolved Detection and Analysis of Single Nanoparticle Electrocatalytic Impacts

“…[1][2][3] An interesting approach for observing the electrochemical properties of catalytic NPs is to monitor their impact (or landing) from solution onto a collector electrode, as introduced by Bard et al, 4,5 and developed by several groups. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] In order to resolve such impacts, the use of a small-sized ultramicroelectrode (UME) is mandatory to reduce both background currents and the impact frequency. To enhance the impact signal to background current, electrode surfaces have been modified with Hg or Bi 7 and borondoped diamond 12 has also been used as an UME material.…”

Electrochemical detection of a single cytomegalovirus at an ultramicroelectrode and its antibody anchoring

“…By observing the collisions of small particles, there is the possibility that information can be deduced that is not available in ensemble measurements. The electrochemical study of single collision events has been applied to a wide range of hard nanoparticles (NPs), which include metal, metal oxide, and organic NPs [platinum (1), silver (2), gold (3), nickel (4), copper (5), iridium oxide (6), cerium oxide (7), titanium oxide (8), silicon oxide (9), indigo (10), polystyrene (11), and relatively large aggregates of fullerene (12)]. Recently, collisions of soft particles have been investigated, such as toluene droplets (13) and liposomes (14).…”