Distinction of the Two Phases of CuTCNQ by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

Increased Crystallization of CuTCNQ in Water/DMSO Bisolvent for Enhanced Redox Catalysis

Controlling the kinetics of CuTCNQ (TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane) crystallization has been a major challenge, as CuTCNQ crystallizing on Cu foil during synthesis in conventional solvents such as acetonitrile simultaneously dissolves into the reaction medium. In this work, we address this challenge by using water as a universal co-solvent to control the kinetics of crystallization and growth of phase I CuTCNQ. Water increases the dielectric constant of the reaction medium, shifting the equilibrium toward CuTCNQ crystallization while concomitantly decreasing the dissolution of CuTCNQ. This allows more CuTCNQ to be controllably crystallized on the surface of the Cu foil. Different sizes of CuTCNQ crystals formed on Cu foil under different water/DMSO admixtures influence the solvophilicity of these materials. This has important implications in their catalytic performance, as water-induced changes in the surface properties of these materials can make them highly hydrophilic, which allows the CuTCNQ to act as an efficient catalyst as it brings the aqueous reactants in close vicinity of the catalyst. Evidently, the CuTCNQ synthesized in 30% (v/v) water/DMSO showed superior catalytic activity for ferricyanide reduction with 95% completion achieved within a few minutes in contrast to CuTCNQ synthesized in DMSO that took over 92 min.

Copper Tetracyanoquinodimethane: From Micro/Nanostructures to Applications

Copper tetracyanoquinodimethane (CuTCNQ) has been investigated around 40 years as a representative bistable material. Meanwhile, micro/nanostructures of CuTCNQ is considered as the prototype of molecular electronics, which have attracted the world's attention and shown great potential applications in nanoelectronics. In this review, methods for synthesis of CuTCNQ micro/nanostructures are first summarized briefly. Then, the strategies for controlling morphologies and sizes of CuTCNQ micro/nanostructures are highlighted. Afterwards, the devices based on these micro/nanostructures are reviewed. Finally, an outlook of future research directions and challenges in this area is presented.

Determining Li+-Coupled Redox Targeting Reaction Kinetics of Battery Materials with Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

The redox targeting reaction of Li⁺-storage materials with redox mediators is the key process in redox flow lithium batteries, a promising technology for next-generation large-scale energy storage. The kinetics of the Li⁺-coupled heterogeneous charge transfer between the energy storage material and redox mediator dictates the performance of the device, while as a new type of charge transfer process it has been rarely studied. Here, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was employed for the first time to determine the interfacial charge transfer kinetics of LiFePO₄/FePO₄ upon delithiation and lithiation by a pair of redox shuttle molecules FcBr₂⁺ and Fc. The effective rate constant k_eff was determined to be around 3.70-6.57 × 10^-3 cm/s for the two-way pseudo-first-order reactions, which feature a linear dependence on the composition of LiFePO₄, validating the kinetic process of interfacial charge transfer rather than bulk solid diffusion. In addition, in conjunction with chronoamperometry measurement, the SECM study disproves the conventional "shrinking-core" model for the delithiation of LiFePO₄ and presents an intriguing way of probing the phase boundary propagations induced by interfacial redox reactions. This study demonstrates a reliable method for the kinetics of redox targeting reactions, and the results provide useful guidance for the optimization of redox targeting systems for large-scale energy storage.

Unveiling the Switching Riddle of Silver Tetracyanoquinodimethane Towards Novel Planar Single-Crystalline Electrochemical Metallization Memories

The switching riddle of AgTCNQ is shown to be caused by the solid electrolyte mechanism. Both factors of bulk phase change and contact issue play key roles in the efficient work of the devices. An effective strategy is developed to locate the formation/disruption of Ag conductive filaments using the planar asymmetric configuration of Au/AgTCNQ/AlOx /Al. These novel electrochemical metallization memories demonstrate many promising properties.

Mass-production of single-crystalline device arrays of an organic charge-transfer complex for its memory nature

Controllable synthesis of single-crystalline lamellae of copper tetracyano-p- quinodimethane (CuTCNQ, phase II) is achieved, and mass-produced devices or device arrays based on symmetrical Cr/Au gap electrodes are fabricated in situ. The devices exhibit semiconductor properties important for the understanding of CuTCNQ.

Scanning electrochemical microscopy for direct imaging of reaction rates

Not only in electrochemistry but also in biology and in membrane transport, localized processes at solid-liquid or liquid-liquid interfaces play an important role at defect sites, pores, or individual cells, but are difficult to characterize by integral investigation. Scanning electrochemical microscopy is suitable for such investigations. After two decades of development, this method is based on a solid theoretical foundation and a large number of demonstrated applications. It offers the possibility of directly imaging heterogeneous reaction rates and locally modifying substrates by electrochemically generated reagents. The applications range from classical electrochemical problems, such as the investigation of localized corrosion and electrocatalytic reactions in fuel cells, sensor surfaces, biochips, and microstructured analysis systems, to mass transport through synthetic membranes, skin and tissue, as well as intercellular communication processes. Moreover, processes can be studied that occur at liquid surfaces and liquid-liquid interfaces.

Redox-Induced Solid−Solid Phase Transformation of TCNQ Microcrystals into Semiconducting Ni[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 Nanowire (Flowerlike) Architectures: A Combined Voltammetric, Spectroscopic, and Microscopic Study

The facile solid-solid phase transformation of TCNQ microcrystals into semiconducting and magnetic Ni[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 nanowire (flowerlike) architectures is achieved by reduction of TCNQ-modified electrodes in the presence of Ni2+(aq)-containing electrolytes. Voltammetric probing revealed that the chemically reversible TCNQ/Ni[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 conversion process is essentially independent of electrode material and the identity of nickel counteranion but is significantly dependent on scan rate, Ni2+(aq) electrolyte concentration, and the method of solid TCNQ immobilization (drop casting or mechanical attachment). Data analyzed from cyclic voltammetric and double-potential step chronoamperometric experiments are consistent with formation of the Ni[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 complex via a rate-determining nucleation/growth process that involves incorporation of Ni2+(aq) ions into the reduced TCNQ crystal lattice at the triple phase TCNQ|electrode|electrolyte interface. The reoxidation process, which includes the conversion of solid Ni[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 back to TCNQ0 crystals, is also controlled by nucleation/growth kinetics. The overall redox process associated with this chemically reversible solid-solid transformation, therefore, is described by the equation: TCNQ0(S) + 2e- + Ni2+(aq)+ 2 H2O <==> {Ni[TCNQ]2(H2O)2}(S). SEM monitoring of the changes that accompany the TCNQ/Ni[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 transformation revealed that the morphology and crystal size of electrochemically generated Ni[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 are substantially different from those of parent TCNQ crystals. Importantly, the morphology of Ni[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 can be selectively manipulated to produce either 1-D/2-D nanowires or 3-D flowerlike architectures via careful control over the experimental parameters used to accomplish the solid-solid phase interconversion process.

Probing heterogeneous electron transfer at an unbiased conductor by scanning electrochemical microscopy in the feedback mode

The theory of the feedback mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy is extended for probing heterogeneous electron transfer at an unbiased conductor. A steady-state SECM diffusion problem with a pair of disk ultramicroelectrodes as a tip and a substrate is solved numerically. The potential of the unbiased substrate is such that the net current flow across the substrate/solution interface is zero. For a reversible substrate reaction, the potential and the corresponding tip current depend on SECM geometries with respective to the tip radius including not only the tip-substrate distance and the substrate radius but also the thickness of the insulating sheath surrounding the tip. A larger feedback current is obtained using a probe with a thinner insulating sheath, enabling identification of a smaller unbiased substrate with a radius that is approximately as small as the tip radius. An intrinsically slow reaction at an unbiased substrate as driven by a SECM probe can be quasi-reversible. The standard rate constant of the substrate reaction can be determined from the feedback tip current when the SECM geometries are known. The numerical simulations are extended to an SECM line scan above an unbiased substrate to demonstrate a "dip" in the steady-state tip current above the substrate center. The theoretical predictions are confirmed experimentally for reversible and quasi-reversible reactions at an unbiased disk substrate using disk probes with different tip radii and outer radii.

Preparation of Metal−TCNQ Charge-Transfer Complexes on Conducting and Insulating Surfaces by Photocrystallization

A generic method for the synthesis of metal-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) charge-transfer complexes on both conducting and nonconducting substrates is achieved by photoexcitation of TCNQ in acetonitrile in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor and the relevant metal cation. The photochemical reaction leads to reduction of TCNQ to the TCNQ(-) monoanion. In the presence of M(x+)(MeCN), reaction with TCNQ(-)(MeCN) leads to deposition of M(x+)[TCNQ]x crystals onto a solid substrate with morphologies that are dependent on the metal cation. Thus, CuTCNQ phase I photocrystallizes as uniform microrods, KTCNQ as microrods with a random size distribution, AgTCNQ as very long nanowires up to 30 mum in length and with diameters of less than 180 nm, and Co[TCNQ](2)(H(2)O)(2) as nanorods and wires. The described charge-transfer complexes have been characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy and IR and Raman spectroscopy. The CuTCNQ and AgTCNQ complexes are of particular interest for use in memory storage and switching devices. In principle, this simple technique can be employed to generate all classes of metal-TCNQ complexes and opens up the possibility to pattern them in a controlled manner on any type of substrate.

Electrocrystallization of Phase I, CuTCNQ (TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane), on indium tin oxide and boron-doped diamond electrodes

The electrochemical reduction of TCNQ to TCNQ*- in acetonitrile in the presence of [Cu(MeCN)4]+ has been undertaken at boron-doped diamond (BDD) and indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. The nucleation and growth process at BDD is similar to that reported previously at metal electrodes. At an ITO electrode, the electrocrystallization of more strongly adhered, larger, branched, needle-shaped phase I CuTCNQ crystals is detected under potential step conditions and also when the potential is cycled over the potential range of 0.7 to -0.1 V versus Ag/AgCl (3 M KCl). Video imaging can be used at optically transparent ITO electrodes to monitor the growth stage of the very large branched crystals formed during the course of electrochemical experiments. Both in situ video imaging and ex situ X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) data are consistent with the nucleation of CuTCNQ taking place at a discrete number of preferred sites on the ITO surface. At BDD electrodes, ex situ optical images show that the preferential growth of CuTCNQ occurs at the more highly conducting boron-rich areas of the electrode, within which there are preferred sites for CuTCNQ formation.

Controlling the Growth of Single Crystalline Nanoribbons of Copper Tetracyanoquinodimethane for the Fabrication of Devices and Device Arrays

In this paper, (1) a simple and controllable method to synthesize single crystalline nanoribbons of CuTCNQ in a large area was demonstrated by using a physical and chemical vapor combined deposition technique. (2) Nanoribbons synthesized by this method were identified to belong to phase I. (3) Devices and device arrays of nanoribbons were in situ fabricated by this method using gap electrodes and gap electrode arrays. (4) Current-voltage characteristics of crystalline devices and device arrays of nanoribbons exhibited semiconductor properties, and this conclusion was further confirmed by the results of devices based on an individual nanoribbon or microribbon of CuTCNQ (phase I). The controllable synthesis of nanoribbons for the in situ fabrication of crystalline nanodevices and device arrays will be attractive for nanoelectronics. Moreover, semiconductor current-voltage characteristics of the nanoribbons will be beneficial to the understanding of CuTCNQ.