(Invited) Innovative 3D-Printed Flow-Type Electrochemical Microcell for Ultra-High Spatial Resolution Electrochemistry

Abstract

Advances in 3D-printing technology have been used to design and develop a customizable flow-type electrochemical microcell that provides analytical resolution comparable to that of conventional glass capillary-based electrochemical microcells. In addition to being highly reproducible compared to the fabrication of glass capillaries, the advantages of this design are increased durability, decreased production costs, and better control over design parameters while maintaining ultra-high spatial resolution. The design is a three-component microcell that combines 3D printing with conventional machining to allow rapid prototyping and testing of flow designs and apertures sizes while maintaining a consistent foundation upon which the design can be built. The key benefit of the three-component design is the ability to replace parts as needed without complete disassembly. The design and application of two classes of flow-type electrochemical microcell, high-resolution (~100 µm spot size) and ultra-high resolution (~10 µm spot size), will be presented. Additionally, the proposed prototype introduces the practicality of a six-axis robot arm for positioning the microcell and is advantageous over a conventional three-axis gantry system allowing for the analysis of irregular sample geometries. The microcell prototype was tested and evaluated to demonstrate repeatability in use, accuracy in spatial resolution and experimental results, and capability in the analysis of various materials and surface finishes. The ease of use and endurance of the design is also demonstrated through repeated use. This microcell has the potential for applications in corrosion, electrodeposition, and electroanalysis, amongst others.Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) under contract NRC-HQ-84-16-G-0033. Ms. Nancy Hebron-Israel serves as the program manager.