Electrochemistry in conductive nanopipettes

Abstract

Conductive nanopipettes have been recognized as powerful tools for electrochemical measurements and imaging of various analytes of interest (i.e. ions, molecules, nanoparticles and cells), owing to their nanometer-sized tip, tuneable pipette geometry, and rich charge transport features. Meanwhile, the confined electroactive interface inside the nanopipette brings many new electrochemical behaviours which are quite different from their bulk counterpart. Studying these novel electrochemical processes in conductive nanopipettes not only reveals new physical insights into electrochemistry in confined spaces but also advances the emerging applications of nanopipettes for chemical analysis. This review summarizes the recent progress of conductive nanopipettes in terms of fabrication strategies, fundamental charge transport processes, and applications, highlighting their new electrochemical features and future prospects in analytical chemistry at the nanoscale.