Final Report Summary - QUANTIF (Quantitative Multidimensional Imaging of Interfacial Fluxes)
We live in an amazing age of high resolution microscopy, with images of atomic structure of surfaces now common. However, imagine if you could visualize the chemistry of surfaces and interfaces in action? This might be electrocatalysts that are at the heart of fuel cells or a metal corroding, or processes essential to a living cell, or crystallization/dissolution, which underpins the processing of fine chemical and pharmaceuticals, oral drug administration, the health of skeletal tissues, and many phenomena in the natural world.
This project has turned this dream into a reality, by inventing new microscopes to image interfacial chemistry (fluxes). The inventions make use of nanoscale electrochemical sensor probes that can be moved in smart ways near the interface of interest, gathering information as they travel. The sensors detect and respond to chemical fluxes, concentrations and electric fields, to produce a tiny electrical current (or potential) that is represented as a colour to produce snapshots and movies. It has been possible to measure the tiniest signals ever recorded in electrochemistry, while also pushing the speed of these probes and the rate at which data can be acquired to unprecedented levels.
Four major areas of science have been advanced:
(I) Important new paradigms on the electrochemical behaviour of novel carbon materials – carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphite and conducting diamond – have been obtained. These materials are among the most studied in electrochemistry and are of immense fundamental and applied interest. Through this programme it has been possible to reveal new microscopic models that have greatly advanced knowledge of electrochemistry and allow these materials to be used more effectively. The microscopes also open up new ways to locally function and pattern electrodes (2D and 3D nanoprinting).
(II) Building on (I), we have revealed how subtle differences in the geometry and structure of nanoparticles and metal surfaces can greatly impact electroactivity. Our studies have revealed key information on electrodes used in solar cells and batteries that will help to optimise these technologies in the future.
(III) Innovative methods have been introduced to visualize the movement of molecules across model cell membranes and dentine (the spongy material in teeth). We joined forces with other researchers to probe the local chemistry at living cells, including neuronal activity and photosynthesis at single plant cells. Our technology was further expanded to map the charge at surfaces, which is important in regulating adhesion processes and plays an important role in many cell signaling processes.
(IV) Electrochemical concepts and methods have been applied in new ways to understand the dissolution and growth of crystals. We have developed detailed mathematical models, which allow us to determine accurately the speed at which the different faces which make up a crystal advance or retreat as a function of the chemical composition near the faces. This is a major advance that can be applied to inorganic materials (e.g. calcium minerals) and organic crystals (e.g. pharmaceuticals).
In summary, this programme has established important new nanoscale methods and concepts of interfacial flux (functional) imaging, which are gaining momentum in materials science and the life sciences, where structure-activity issues at the nanoscale are paramount. The advances made provide an outstanding foundation for further major innovations and applications going forward. Software for the Warwick Electrochemical-Scanning Probe Microscopy platform is available under an open innovation license and several instrument manufacturers have already made available techniques developed in this programme. As well as major advances in fundamental knowledge, our work is already having an impact on European industry and competitiveness, with the techniques being used ito understand coatings, corrosion, pharmaceutical crystals, new treatments for dental care, new sensor systems, and energy storage and conversion systems, among others.
This project has turned this dream into a reality, by inventing new microscopes to image interfacial chemistry (fluxes). The inventions make use of nanoscale electrochemical sensor probes that can be moved in smart ways near the interface of interest, gathering information as they travel. The sensors detect and respond to chemical fluxes, concentrations and electric fields, to produce a tiny electrical current (or potential) that is represented as a colour to produce snapshots and movies. It has been possible to measure the tiniest signals ever recorded in electrochemistry, while also pushing the speed of these probes and the rate at which data can be acquired to unprecedented levels.
Four major areas of science have been advanced:
(I) Important new paradigms on the electrochemical behaviour of novel carbon materials – carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphite and conducting diamond – have been obtained. These materials are among the most studied in electrochemistry and are of immense fundamental and applied interest. Through this programme it has been possible to reveal new microscopic models that have greatly advanced knowledge of electrochemistry and allow these materials to be used more effectively. The microscopes also open up new ways to locally function and pattern electrodes (2D and 3D nanoprinting).
(II) Building on (I), we have revealed how subtle differences in the geometry and structure of nanoparticles and metal surfaces can greatly impact electroactivity. Our studies have revealed key information on electrodes used in solar cells and batteries that will help to optimise these technologies in the future.
(III) Innovative methods have been introduced to visualize the movement of molecules across model cell membranes and dentine (the spongy material in teeth). We joined forces with other researchers to probe the local chemistry at living cells, including neuronal activity and photosynthesis at single plant cells. Our technology was further expanded to map the charge at surfaces, which is important in regulating adhesion processes and plays an important role in many cell signaling processes.
(IV) Electrochemical concepts and methods have been applied in new ways to understand the dissolution and growth of crystals. We have developed detailed mathematical models, which allow us to determine accurately the speed at which the different faces which make up a crystal advance or retreat as a function of the chemical composition near the faces. This is a major advance that can be applied to inorganic materials (e.g. calcium minerals) and organic crystals (e.g. pharmaceuticals).
In summary, this programme has established important new nanoscale methods and concepts of interfacial flux (functional) imaging, which are gaining momentum in materials science and the life sciences, where structure-activity issues at the nanoscale are paramount. The advances made provide an outstanding foundation for further major innovations and applications going forward. Software for the Warwick Electrochemical-Scanning Probe Microscopy platform is available under an open innovation license and several instrument manufacturers have already made available techniques developed in this programme. As well as major advances in fundamental knowledge, our work is already having an impact on European industry and competitiveness, with the techniques being used ito understand coatings, corrosion, pharmaceutical crystals, new treatments for dental care, new sensor systems, and energy storage and conversion systems, among others.