Fabrication and Applications of Electroplated Three-Dimensional, Open-Cell, Noble Metal Electrodes

Abstract

Noble metal electrodes (Au, Ag, and Pt) have found numerous applications in electroanalysis and electrocatalysis. Noble metal electrodes are typically composed entirely of a bulk noble metal so their cost is high and they have a two-dimensional geometry. This presentation describes the fabrication of inexpensive, electroplated noble metal electrodes that have an open-cell, three-dimensional complex geometry. The electroplated noble metal electrodes exhibit a defect-free layer of a noble metal (i.e., Au, Pt or Ag) deposited onto a copper substrate structure of the desired geometry. The surface roughness of the electrodeposited films was tailored by adjusting the electroplating conditions and the composition of the electroplating solution. The electrochemical performance of the electrodes was fully characterized. The electroplated three-dimensional, open-cell electrodes were used for the detection of heavy metals in aqueous samples and the decontamination of aqueous samples that contained bacteria.