Gold cleaning methods for electrochemical detection applications

Summary, in English

This work investigates methods for obtaining reliably clean gold film surfaces. Nine gold cleaning methods are investigated here: UV ozone photoreactor; potassium hydroxide–hydrogen peroxide; potassium hydroxide potential sweep; sulfuric acid hydrogen peroxide; sulfuric acid potential cycling; hydrochloric acid potential cycling; dimethylamine borane reducing agent solutions at 25 and 65 °C; and a dilute form of Aqua Regia. Peak-current potential-differences obtained from cyclic voltammetry and charge transfer resistance obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, as well as X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy are used to characterize surface cleanliness. A low peak-current potential-difference and charge transfer resistance indicates a cleaner surface, as does a higher percentage of elemental gold on the electrode surface. The potassium hydroxide potential sweep method is found to leave the gold surface the cleanest overall.

• Author: Lee M. Fischer; Maria Tenje; Arto R. Heiskanen; Noriyuki Masuda; Jaime Castillo Leon; Anders Bentien; Jenny Emnéus; Mogens H. Jakobsen; Anja Boisen
• Publishing year: 2009
• Language: English
• Pages: 1282-1285
• Publication/Series: Microelectronic Engineering
• Volume: 86
• Issue: 4-6
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mee.2008.11.045
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Topic: Analytical Chemistry; Medical Engineering
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1873-5568