Note: Benign and reproducible preparation of titanium tips

作者：Mohammad A Awez; Arnott Z L; Wang Y; Kruse P^*

来源：Review of Scientific Instruments, 2014, 85(2): 026113.

DOI：10.1063/1.4865759

Fabrication of titanium tips via electrochemical etching is commonly hindered by the formation of a tough oxide layer. A new one-step approach based on dc etching in a non-aqueous electrolyte is presented. The electrochemical tip etching was carried out at 20 V in a benign etchant of 1M NaCl in ethylene glycol. Tip radii below 100 nm are demonstrated using current cut-off control and approaching 150 nm without cut-off control. The simplicity and efficiency of the approach eliminates pre and post electropolishing steps due to the electropolishing capability of a NaCl-ethylene glycol based electrolyte.

• 出版日期2014-2