Probing Single-Particle Electrocatalytic Stability: Electrogenerated\nChemiluminescence Imaging of Nanoparticle Array

Understanding the stability of single nanoparticles is\ncrucial\nfor optimizing their performance in various applications, including\ncatalysis. In this study, we employed electrochemiluminescence (ECL)\nimaging to investigate the temporal stability of individual Au and\nPt nanoparticles within precisely engineered arrays. Our results reveal\nsignificant differences in the stability of Au and Pt NPs. While both\nexhibit initial decay due to diffusion limitations, Au NPs undergo\nmore rapid degradation, attributed to surface oxidation and detachment.\nIn contrast, Pt NPs demonstrate much better stability with little\nsurface oxidation. This study provides valuable insights into the\nfundamental behavior of single-NP electrocatalysis and highlights\nthe potential of ECL imaging as a powerful tool for unraveling the\ncomplex dynamics of nanoscale systems.