High-RG UltraMicroElectrodes (UME)

Discover Thomas RECORDING´s High-RG conventional Ultra-MicroElectrodes (High-RG UMEs) – the industry standard for precision bulk electrochemistry.

Are you looking for ultimate stability, reproducible mass transport, and uncompromised data quality? Our classic macro-body High-RG UMEs are engineered to deliver reliable results day in and day out. Built with a robust 4 mm outer diameter (OD) glass sheath and a 64 mm standard shaft length, these probes fit seamlessly into all conventional electrochemical cells and standard cell holders.

Product Description

Key Features

Core Material: Premium 99.9% Pure Platinum (Pt)
Outer Diameter (OD): 4.0 mm (robust, easy-to-handle glass body)
Standard Shaft Length (L): 64 mm
Available Disc Diameters: 10 µm | 15 µm | 25 µm | 50 µm | 100 µm
Customization: Tailored shaft lengths, alternative core materials, or specific RG variants are available upon request.

UME Dimensions

Thomas High-RG UltraMicroElectrodes (UME) are available in variable design versions for use in different electrochemical applications (e.g. battery research application). Our UMEs for electrochemical applications can be customized to our customer´s needs. So please do not hesitate to ask for your individual electrode design!

Standard Connector:

Specifications:

Shaft length (L1) = 64 mm

Length (L2) = 16 mm

Length (L3) = 10 mm

Outer shaft diameter (OD) = 4,0 mm; Metal core diameter: 10 µm / 25 µm / 50 µm / 100 µm

Metal core material: Platinum, 99,9%

Connector: gold plated pin (see picture on the right side)

Cyclic Voltammogram

Cyclic voltammogram (CV) of a ID=10 µm platinum disk ultramicroelectrode (UME) (r=5 µm) embedded in a OD=4 mm glass sheath (RG=400) for the oxidation of 1 mM Ferrocenylmethanol (FcMeOH) displays a steady-state sigmoidal wave with a limiting current of app. 1300 pA.

The cyclic voltammogram (CV) exhibits a sigmoidal, steady-state wave characteristic of microelectrode behavior, rather than the peak-shaped profile typical of macroelectrodes. As the potential sweeps forward, the anodic current rises smoothly and reaches a well-defined mass-transport-limited current plateau of approximately 1300 pA. The forward and reverse traces do not perfectly superimpose, exhibiting a slight "belly" or hysteresis. This minor deviation from ideal steady-state behavior is primarily driven by background charging currents (dielectric stray capacitance from the thick glass sheath) and an ohmic potential lag caused by the high resistance of the unbuffered distilled water.

Advantages of UME

The design featuring a thin platinum core embedded in a 4 mm glass sheath resulting in high RG values offers distinct electrochemical benefits for high-level research:

Operation in High-Resistance Media: Due to the microscale dimensions, the total current output is restricted to the picoampere range. This drastic reduction in current minimizes the uncompensated ohmic drop (iR-drop), enabling valid electrochemical measurements directly in low-conductivity media, such as distilled water, without adding a supporting electrolyte.
Enhanced Mass Transport via Non-Planar Diffusion: Mass transport to the µm disk is dominated by convergent, hemispherical (radial) diffusion rather than linear diffusion. This rapid and continuous supply of analyte yields a time-independent limiting current and accelerates the establishment of a steady state.
Minimized Double-Layer Capacitance: The ultra-small surface area of the platinum core significantly reduces the capacitive charging current (Ic). This drastically improves the signal-to-background ratio and allows for ultra-fast voltammetric scan rates without masking the faradaic response.
Robust Mechanical Protection: The substantial insulation layer (OD = 4 mm) provides high mechanical rigidity. It shields the delicate 10 µm platinum wire from physical damage and structural distortion during positioning, polishing, or routine laboratory handling.

Request Information

Location

Winchester Strasse 8
35394 Giessen, GERMANY

Hours

Mo.-Fr. 8:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m.

Central European Time (CET)

Sa. - Su. Closed

Email

info@ThomasRECORDING.com