SECM photography

A novel strategy for imaging commercial black-and-white negative photo films by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is demonstrated. The imaging is based on using IrCl63- as the redox mediator to dissolve silver grains. The SECM probe is biased at a sufficient constant anodic potential (0.8 V vs. Ag QRE) to oxidize IrCl63- under diffusion control. SECM images of a patterned band array (2.8 mm × 3 mm) and of an “EPFL” logo (8.6 mm × 7 mm) have been recorded with a high resolution from the black-and-white negative photo films. The factors relevant to the quality of images are discussed.