Revealing Nanoscale Electrochemical Kinetics and Dynamics via Next-Generation Scanning Electrochemical Probe Microscopy

Understanding electrochemical processes at the nanoscale is essential for unraveling the intrinsic activity, dynamics, and heterogeneity of electrocatalytic materials. However, conventional electrochemical methods lack the spatial and temporal resolution needed to directly probe local kinetics and interfacial impedance. Here, we build upon scanning electrochemical probe microscopy, a new generation of nanoelectrochemistry tools to obtain information from the electrode surface. First, we design a nanofluidic modulation platform that enables the precise control of mass transport at single reactive sites, allowing the extraction of fast hydrogen evolution kinetics via spatially resolved Koutecký-Levich analysis. This approach decouples intrinsic reaction rates from transport effects, providing quantitative insight into structure–activity relationships at the nanoscale. I will also discuss our efforts towards establishing a localized electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique capable of measuring nanoscale interfacial dynamics with spatially resolved impedance spectra. By combining high-bandwidth current measurement with position control, this method reveals local charge-transfer resistance, double-layer capacitance, and ion transport behavior within individual domains of heterogeneous catalysts or films.