biostudies-literatureUnknown413(27)Cao QCarbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) are the standard electrodes for fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) detection of neurotransmitters. CFMEs are generally used untreated but the surface can be activated with different treatments to improve electrochemical performance. In this work, we explored electrochemical treatments to clean and activate the CFME surface. We used different solution conditions for electrochemical treatment and found that electrochemical pretreatment in KOH outperforms treatment in KCl, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, or HCl by accelerating the surface renewal process. The etching rate of carbon with electrochemical treatment in KOH is 37 nm/min, which is 10 times faster than that in the other solutions. Electrochemical treatment in KOH for several minutes regenerates a neAnalytical and bioanalytical chemistry6737-6746https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8551070biostudies-literatureElectrochemical treatment in KOH renews and activates carbon fiber microelectrode surfaces.PMC8551070Shao ZVenton BJLucktong JChang YCao QfalseElectrochemical treatment in KOH renews and activates carbon fiber microelectrode surfaces.Carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) are the standard electrodes for fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) detection of neurotransmitters. CFMEs are generally used untreated but the surface can be activated with different treatments to improve electrochemical performance. In this work, we explored electrochemical treatments to clean and activate the CFME surface. We used different solution conditions for electrochemical treatment and found that electrochemical pretreatment in KOH outperforms treatment in KCl, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, or HCl by accelerating the surface renewal process. The etching rate of carbon with electrochemical treatment in KOH is 37 nm/min, which is 10 times faster than that in the other solutions. Electrochemical treatment in KOH for several minutes regenerates a ne2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Nov2025-04-19T04:22:04.241Z2025-04-19T04:22:04.241ZS-EPMC85510703430218110.1007/s00216-021-03539-6