2005/12/08 by Diego Krapf, Meng-Yue Wu, Ralph M. M. Smeets +3 · 2 citations
Chemistry · Engineering · #Electrochemical Analysis and Applications #Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures #Nanopore and Nanochannel Transport Studies
paper · doi:10.1021/nl052163x
openalex publication_date 2005/12/08 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26
We report on the fabrication and characterization of gold nanoelectrodes with carefully controlled nanometer dimensions in a matrix of insulating silicon nitride. A focused electron beam was employed to drill nanopores in a thin silicon nitride membrane. The size and shape of the nanopores were studied with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron-energy-loss two-dimensional maps. The pores were subsequently filled with gold, yielding conically shaped nanoelectrodes. The nanoelectrodes were examined by atomic and electrostatic force microscopy. Their applicability in electrochemistry was demonstrated by steady-state cyclic voltammetry. Pores with a radii down to 0.4 nm and electrodes with radii down to 2 nm are demonstrated.