Abstract: Measuring the quantized capacitance charge of the C₆Au monolayer protected clusters(MPCs) in the dichloromethane solution with the microelectrode was reported.The results from cyclic voltammetry(CV) and differential pulse voltammetry(DPV) showed five pairs of quantized capacitance charging peaks in dichloromethane solution.The average capacitance of single MPCs was obtained from the result of DPV.Single potential step chronocoulometry was used to demonstrate that each pair of the peaks corresponded to one electron transferring across the interface of the MPCs.From the i l,s of the CV of the microelectrode, the charge transfer coefficient α was evaluated.Compared to the conventional Pt electrode, the microelectrode exhibits obvious and well-defined peaks, and is favorable in the study of MPCs in the solution with a high impedance without supporting electrolyte and in the process of high sweep rate.

Key words: Microelectrode, Monolayer-protected clusters, Quantized capacitance charging