An innovative electro-corrosion recess creation technique for improved microelectrode fabrication

A new and simple electrochemical (corrosion) method for recess creation for the fabrication of metal and metal–metal oxide microelectrodes has been developed. Controlled recess was created in low melting point alloy (LMA)-filled micropipettes using slightly acidic 1–3 M ZnCl2 as the electro-corrosion solution. The current was applied from a 3 V DC source. The recess length in the LMA-filled micropipette can be manipulated as needed for a specific microelectrode by varying the electro-corrosion time. The present method is expected to make microelectrode fabrication a less tedious process. Dissolved oxygen, oxidation–reduction potential and pH microelectrodes have been made using the present method and the microelectrode characteristics were found to be in conformity with those reported by other researchers.