TY - CONF A1 - Matthews, Lauren A1 - Sahre, Mario A1 - Hesse, R. A1 - Schusterbauer, Robert A1 - Grant, M. A1 - Agudo Jácome, Leonardo A1 - Albrecht, T. A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Approaches to Surface Analysis of Modified Quartz Nanopipettes N2 - Nanopipettes are a type of solid-state nanopore with needle-like geometry. Their applications range from imaging, sensing, diagnostics, and use as injectors. The response of nanopipette sensors is highly dependent on the size, geometry and chemical properties of the sensing region. As they are increasingly tuned and modified for specific analytes, a better understanding of the surface chemistry and morphology of the inner channel is necessary. With the aim of developing a comprehensive approach for characterisation of such nanopipettes, this research focuses on combining surface-sensitive analysis methods with advanced sample preparation techniques. Quartz substrates were modified by gas phase silanization, a well-utilised technique in the field to enhance performance of nanopipettes, and further functionalised with a metal bis thiolate complex, to aid in chemical analysis. The sample characterisation involved scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Using focused ion beam (FIB) milling under gentle conditions, the inner surface of quartz nanopipettes was exposed whilst preserving the integrity of the overall structure (see figure). Owing to the challenging analysis conditions, modification and analysis of flat quartz substrates has been performed in parallel for optimisation purposes. The results demonstrate the first steps towards full characterisation of nanopipettes at the nanoscale, notably with access to the inner channel. The methods used here can be applied to gain further understanding of the response of these sensors to complex analytes and allow for the study of different surface functionalisations at the all-important sensing region. T2 - European Conference on Applications of Surface and Interface Analysis (ECASIA 2024) CY - Gothenburg, Sweden DA - 09.06.2024 KW - Quartz nanopipettes KW - Nanopipette modification KW - Silanization KW - Surface analysis KW - Focussed ion beam PY - 2024 AN - OPUS4-60447 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -