Energy technologies of the 21st century require understanding and precise control over ion transport and electrochemistry at all length scales – from single atoms to macroscopic devices. Particularly of interest are electrochemical phenomena at solid-liquid interfaces, as a key element of classical and flow batteries, supercapacitors, sensors, and biological systems. At the same time, voltage modulated scanning probe microscopy techniques that have found broad applicability for probing reversible and irreversible electrochemistry and transport phenomena in solids cannot be directly applied in liquids, due to a non-trivial role of liquid electrolytes. In this presentation, I will illustrate several recent applications of SPM for liquid electrochemical imaging, ranging from Electrochemical Force microscopy, SPM – based dilatometry, and direct measurement of liquid layering in active devices.

This research was sponsored by the Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering, BES, DOE, and was conducted at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, sponsored at Oak Ridge National Laboratory by the Scientific User Facilities Division.