Single Nanoparticle Voltammetry: Contact Modulation of the Mediated Current.

The cyclic voltammetric responses of individual palladium-coated carbon nanotubes are reported. Upon impact-from the solution phase-with the electrified interface, the nanoparticles act as individual nanoelectrodes catalyzing the hydrogen-oxidation reaction. At high overpotentials the current is shown to reach a quasi-steady-state diffusion limit, allowing determination of the tube length. The electrochemical response of the individual nanotubes also reveals the system to be modulated by the electrical contact between the electrode and carbon nanotube. This modulation presents itself as fluctuations in the recorded Faradaic current.