Novel methods for the production of silver microelectrode-arrays: their characterisation by atomic force microscopy and application to the electro-reduction of halothane.

A new method is proposed for the simple preparation of random silver micro and nano-electrode arrays. This employs acoustic streaming directed at a glassy carbon surface to "mechanically" attach particles from a suspension of metal colloidal or other small particles. The particles tend to adhere to the substrate at points of imperfection such as scratches, crevices etc. These arrays are compared with arrays formed by the electro-deposition of silver at a glassy carbon substrate, with the silver being partially stripped off, leaving a stable micro and nanoparticle array on the surface. Both surfaces are characterised using optical and atomic force microscopy. The two types of electrodes are evaluated to their analytical utility via the electrochemical reduction of halothane and their performance compared with that of a silver macroelectrode. A notable increase in sensitivity and peak current is observed.