User`s guide

Electrochemistry 15
Agilent 5500 SPM User’s Guide 219
Electrode Cleaning
Electrodes should be carefully cleaned prior to assembling the liquid
cell. This may even include flame annealing of the electrodes prior to
use in certain cases.
Sample Plate Cleaning
Since the sample plate does not directly contact the sample surface or
electrolyte, a general cleaning with methanol or ethanol prior to
assembly is sufficient.
Substrate Cleaning
Substrates should be free of surface contaminants. Gold substrates
should be hydrogen flame annealed prior to imaging for best results.
Assembling and Loading the Liquid Cell
It is recommended that the assembly procedure be carried out in a
laminar flow hood, glove box or other clean environment. The work
surface should be well cleaned prior to assembling, and gloves should
be worn to prevent contaminating the electrodes and liquid cell. Refer to
Figure 146 for a view of the components described below.
1 Place a clean substrate onto the sample plate.
2 Push the liquid cell onto the spring-loaded pins on the sample plate.
Verify that the O-ring is in contact with the substrate at all points.
3 Push the spring-loaded pins up from the bottom to expose the pin
slots.
4 Insert the cell clamps into the slots and release the pins to hold the
liquid cell in place.
5 Place the pogo electrode into the hole in the wall of the liquid cell
nearest to the working electrode clamp.
6 Push the working electrode clamp up from the bottom and place the
end of the pogo under the clamp. Let the clamp spring back to hold
the electrode.
7 Use a multimeter to check for good conductivity between the sample
and the working electrode clamp.
NOTE
For improved conductivity an additional wire can be used to connect the
working electrode to the substrate through another hole on the liquid cell.