Search

Electrochemical interfaces are at the core of many important current applications, from corrosion and biophysics to electrocatalytic and battery interfaces. Further understanding in the processes taking place at these interfaces is often linked to better observation techniques. In situ or in operando imaging and characterization of the electrochemical interface helps improve our understanding of structural sequences and kinetics of complex processes. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) offers a unique combination to monitor surface morphology and mechanical properties at micro‐ and nanoscale surfaces and solid–electrolyte interfaces. Two examples are given where the application of AFM during electrochemical processes is clearly useful. Organic inhibitors and their behavior play an important role in corrosion mitigation and the influence of thiol monolayers on dealloying is reported: Zinc films find application for coatings or Zn batteries and an in situ electrodeposition study is shortly described. With the ongoing improvement of computational simulations, the broadening of spatiotemporal scales possible with AFM imaging and its combination with mechanical information points in a prospective future for in operando AFM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of cations on the corrosion of galvanized steel (GS) is scarcely reported. In this study, a wet–dry cyclic test was conducted to study NH4+, Na+, and Mg2+ cation effect on the corrosion behavior of GS available in Nepal. Fourteen wet–dry cycles (18 h wet and 6 h dry) were performed by exposing samples at 298 K with a relative humidity of 90% in a wet cycle and 50% in a dry cycle for 14 days. The cations strongly affect the corrosion rate of the GS sample estimated by weight loss and potentiodynamic polarization. The potentiodynamic polarization curves showed the inhibition of cathodic and anodic reactions by Mg2+ ion, while the NH4+ ion only changed the cathodic reaction. Mg2+ ion was found to shift the corrosion potential to noble values compared with NH4+ and Na+ ions. A compact and thin corrosion products layer was developed in Mg2+ salt solution in contrast to a thick and porous corrosion products layer in NH4+ and Na+ salt solutions. Red rust due to corrosion of underlying steel appeared in the presence of NH4+ and Na+ salt solutions. Finally, the weight loss data revealed that the corrosivity of cations for GS decreased in the order Na+ > NH4+ > Mg2+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solvent‐assisted lipid bilayer (SALB) formation is emerged as a versatile approach in forming supported lipid membranes (SLBs) on metal surfaces, interesting platforms for transducing a biological signal to an electrical readout where vesicle rupture is not straightforward. Herein, the effect of the lipid concentration in the organic solvent, a key parameter controlling SALB, is addressed in the low and high concentration limits of 1,2‐dipalmitoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine lipid on a Au surface. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM‐D) responses are correlated with atomic force microscopy (AFM) topographic and nanomechanical measurements. Upon SALB completion at both concentrations, QCM‐D and AFM topographical characterization suggest the formation of thin, although incomplete, lipid layers at the Au–liquid interface, with frequency and dissipation plateau values departing from well‐established homogeneous SLB responses. Nanomechanical analysis reveals the presence of mostly monolayers at low concentration due to lack of lipid material, while at high concentration excess of lipid material leads to the coexistence of diverse structures. Their formation stems from the SALB formation mechanism, based on lyotropic transformations upon solvent exchange, which differs from customarily vesicle rupture. Such mechanism leads to peculiar two‐step features in approach force curves on SLBs pointing toward a decoupling in bilayer leaflets when supported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid‐supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) are excellent platforms for studying the biophysical properties of cell membranes. Among the existing approaches used to form SLBs, vesicle fusion and rupture onto solid supports are most commonly employed owing to their straightforward procedure. The current understanding of the mechanisms behind this approach has greatly benefited from the use of surface‐sensitive techniques, especially quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM‐D) in combination with other analytical techniques, such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) or localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Herein, an overview of the pathways of vesicle adsorption and rupture under various experimental conditions is provided. Examples including recent findings of how the variation of the properties of lipid vesicles (size, charge), aqueous buffer (pH, ionic strength, osmotic pressure), and solid support (surface energy) affect the pathway mechanism of adsorption and rupture are provided. Recent reports on poorly understood properties such as surface roughness and topography are provided, together with the need for further studies relevant to biomimetic and sensing purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Electrochemical Interfaces b Fighting the degradation of materials clearly is an important endeavour for reaching a sustainable society. More details can be found in article number 2100470 by Frank Uwe Renner and co-workers. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides an overview of the formation of supported lipid bilayers, which are important in various applications such as biosensors. The authors discuss different experimental conditions that can affect the formation of these bilayers, including the size and charge of lipid vesicles, pH, ionic strength, osmotic pressure of the aqueous buffer, and surface energy and topography of the solid support. The article also includes information about the authors and their research interests in lipid membrane biophysics and surface functionalization. [Extracted from the article]