Electrochemical Studies of Chemically Modified Nanometer-Sized Electrodes

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) has been successfully deposited onto nanometer-sized gold (Au) electrodes. The cyclic voltammograms obtained on a 4-ATP SAMs modified electrode show peaks and the peak height is proportional to the scan rate, which is similar to that on an electroactive SAMs modified macro electrode. The electrochemical behavior and mechanism of outer-sphere electron transfer reaction on the 4-ATP SAMs modified nanometer-sized electrode has also been studied. The 4-ATP SAMs modified electrode is further modified with platinum (Pt) nanoparticles. Electrochemical behaviors show that there is electrical communication between Pt nanoparticles and Au metal on the Pt nanoparticles/4-ATP SAMs/Au electrode. However, scanning electron microscopic image shows that the Pt nanoparticles are not evenly covered the electrode