Investigation of Multilayered Structures of Ionic Liquids on Graphite and Platinum Using Atomic Force Microscopy and Molecular Simulations

Zhichao Chen, Zixuan Li, Wei Zhao, Ray A. Matsumoto, Matthew W. Thompson, Oscar Morales-Collazo, Peter T. Cummings, Filippo Mangolini, Joan F. Brennecke*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The molecular-level orientation and structure of ionic liquids (ILs) at liquid-solid interfaces are significantly different than in the bulk. The interfacial ordering influences both IL properties, such as dielectric constants and viscosity, and their efficacy in devices, such as fuel cells and electrical capacitors. Here, we report the layered structures of four ILs on unbiased, highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and Pt(111) surfaces, as determined by atomic force microscopy. The ILs investigated are 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([emim][Tf2N]), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium perfluorobutylsulfonate ([emim][C4F9SO3]), 7-methyl-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([MTBD][Tf2N]), and 7-methyl-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene perfluorobutylsulfonate ([MTBD][C4F9SO3]). Molecular dynamics simulations provide complementary information on the position and orientation of the ions. These ILs form a cation layer at the IL-solid interface, followed by a layer of anions. [Emim]+and [MTBD]+have similar orientations at the surface, but [MTBD]+forms a thinner layer compared to [emim]+on both HOPG and Pt(111).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4036-4047
Number of pages12
JournalLangmuir
Volume38
Issue number13
Early online date22 Mar 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Apr 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Spectroscopy
  • Electrochemistry

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