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Wang J, Li H, Warr GG, Chen F, Atkin R. Nanostructure and Dynamics of Aprotic Ionic Liquids at Graphite Electrodes as a Function of Potential. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2311353. [PMID: 38573945 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202311353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Atomic force microscope (AFM) videos reveal the near-surface nanostructure and dynamics of the ionic liquids (ILs) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide (BMIM DCA) and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide (HMIM DCA) above highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) electrodes as a function of surface potential. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveal the molecular-level composition of the nanostructures. In combination, AFM and MD show that the near-surface aggregates form via solvophobic association of the cation alkyl chains at the electrode interface. The diffusion coefficients of interfacial nanostructures are ≈0.01 nm2 s-1 and vary with the cation alkyl chain length and the surface potential. For each IL, the nanostructure diffusion coefficients are similar at open-circuit potential (OCP) and OCP + 1V, but BMIM DCA moves about twice as fast as HMIM DCA. At negative potentials, the diffusion coefficient decreases for BMIM DCA and increases for HMIM DCA. When the surface potential is switched from negative to positive, a sudden change in the direction of the nanostructure motion is observed for both BMIM DCA and HMIM DCA. No transient dynamics are noted following other potential jumps. This study provides a new fundamental understanding regarding the dynamics of electrochemically stable ILs at electrodes vital for the rational development of IL-based electrochemical devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianan Wang
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Hua Li
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Gregory G Warr
- School of Chemistry and Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Fangfang Chen
- Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
| | - Rob Atkin
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
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Li H, Wang J, Warr GG, Atkin R. Effect of Potential on the Nanostructure Dynamics of Ethylammonium Nitrate at a Graphite Electrode. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2306011. [PMID: 37806754 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Video-rate atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used to study the near-surface nanostructure dynamics of the ionic liquid ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) at a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) electrode as a function of potential in real-time for the first time. The effects of varying the surface potential and adding 10 wt% water on the nanostructure diffusion coefficient are probed. For both EAN and the 90 wt% EAN-water mixture, disk-like features ≈9 nm in diameter and 1 nm in height form above the Stern layer at all potentials. The nanostructure diffusion coefficient increases with potential (from OCP -0.5 V to OCP +0.5 V) and with added water. Nanostructure dynamics depends on both the magnitude and direction of the potential change. Upon switching the potential from OCP -0.5 V to OCP +0.5 V, a substantial increase in the diffusion coefficients is observed, likely due to the absence of solvophobic interactions between the nitrate (NO3 - ) anions and the ethylammonium (EA+ ) cations in the near-surface region. When the potential is reversed, EA+ is attracted to the Stern layer to replace NO3 - , but its movement is hindered by solvophobic attractions. The outcomes will aid applications, including electrochemical devices, catalysts, and lubricants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Li
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Jianan Wang
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Gregory G Warr
- School of Chemistry and Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Rob Atkin
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
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Peng K, Lin J, Yang D, Fu F, Dai Z, Zhou G, Yang Z. Molecular-Level Insights into Interfacial Interaction–Nanostructure Relationships of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids around Carbon Nanotube Electrodes. Ind Eng Chem Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.2c01256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kuilin Peng
- Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Zeolite Membrane Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Lin
- Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Zeolite Membrane Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, People’s Republic of China
| | - Deshuai Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fangjia Fu
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhongyang Dai
- National Supercomputing Center in Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, People’s Republic of China
| | - Guobing Zhou
- Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Zeolite Membrane Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhen Yang
- Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Zeolite Membrane Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, People’s Republic of China
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Imai M, Tanabe I, Sato T, Fukui KI. Local structures and dynamics of interfacial imidazolium-based ionic liquid depending on the electrode potential using electrochemical attenuated total reflectance ultraviolet spectroscopy. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2022; 273:121040. [PMID: 35228085 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2022.121040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Recently, ionic liquids (ILs) have attracted attention as prospective electrolytes for Li-ion batteries, with safe performance. Herein, the dynamics of the IL at the electrochemical interface, which is the key to the electrochemical reaction, was monitored using attenuated total reflectance far- and deep-ultraviolet (ATR-FUV-DUV) spectroscopy. An original measurement system, which combined an ATR-FUV-DUV spectrometer with a Kretschmann type (fully metal-coated prism) electrochemical setup, was assembled. Spectral measurements and assignments were performed for the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([EMIM][TFSI])/Pt electrode (∼7 nm) interface. The incident light in the FUV and DUV regions entered a measurement system comprising an [EMIM][TFSI]/Pt electrode/ATR sapphire prism, and the potential-dependent absorption spectra were measured in the 180-450 nm range. This in-situ spectroscopic technique is unique in that the electronic transition spectra of the interfacial IL can be obtained. By switching the applied potentials, temporal spectral changes (i.e. relaxation signals) were tracked at wavelengths of 450 nm and 221 nm, where the direct electronic absorption of the IL was active and inactive, respectively. Comparing these relaxation times, it was revealed that the absorption signal at 221 nm changed more slowly than that at 450 nm. This indicated that the molecular conformations that affected the electronic absorption of the interfacial ILs changed slowly. Considering the surface-normal dipole selection rule for molecules on a metal surface, it is suggested that the slow changes in the molecular conformations can be ascribed to the potential-dependent interfacial orientations of [EMIM]+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaya Imai
- Department of Materials Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan
| | - Ichiro Tanabe
- Department of Materials Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan.
| | - Taiki Sato
- Department of Materials Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Fukui
- Department of Materials Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan; Department of Photomolecular Science, Institute for Molecular Science, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan.
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Tanabe I. Spectroscopic analysis focusing on ionic liquid/metal electrode and organic semiconductor interfaces in an electrochemical environment. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 24:615-623. [PMID: 34853835 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp04094d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The solid-liquid interface forms an electric double layer that enables the function of electronic devices and, thus, represents an important area of electrochemical research. Because ionic liquids (ILs) are becoming prominent candidates for new high-performing electrolytes, their interface with solid substrates (e.g., metal electrodes or organic semiconductors) attracts substantial attention. An example of improvement achieved using ILs as electrolytes is a decrease in the operating voltage of transistors from >10 V in traditional SiO2-gated transistors to <1 V in IL-gated electronic double-layer organic field-effect devices. This perspective discusses the investigation of poorly accessible IL/substrate interfaces using both attenuated total reflectance ultraviolet (ATR-UV) spectroscopy and a newly developed electrochemical setup combined with ATR-UV (EC-ATR-UV), which allows analysis of the interfacial area under the application of varying electric potential. The recent EC-ATR-UV applications in interfacial analytical chemistry are overviewed and compared to other spectroscopic methods described in the recent literature. Lastly, the supplementation of experimental data with theoretical calculations (e.g., quantum chemical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations) is also addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Tanabe
- Department of Materials Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3, Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan.
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Chakraborty M, Barik S, Mahapatra A, Sarkar M. Effect of Lithium-Ion on the Structural Organization of Monocationic and Dicationic Ionic Liquids. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:13015-13026. [PMID: 34788041 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c07442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In recent times, ionic liquid-based (ILs) electrolytic system has emerged as suitable alternative to the conventional organic solvent-based electrolytic system. However, since, anion of ILs is known to form aggregates in the presence of lithium-ions (Li+), and this can influence the transport properties of Li+ ion in a significant manner, it is, therefore, important to understand how lithium-ions influence the structure and dynamics of ILs. With this objective, in the present study, intermolecular interaction, structural organization, and dynamics of monocationic ILs (MILs) and dicationic IL (DIL) have been studied in the absence and presence of lithium salt. Specifically, for this purpose, two MILs, 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C3C1im][NTf2]), 1-hexyl-3-propylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C6C1im][NTf2]), and a DIL, 1,6-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)hexane bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([C6(mim)2][NTf2]2) have been chosen in such a way that either the alkyl chain of MILs becomes equal or half of the spacer chain length of DIL. To understand the effect of the addition of lithium-ion on the structural organization of MILs and DIL, steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques have been used. Structural organization in the apolar and polar domains of ILs has been probed by following the rotational diffusion of suitably chosen solute in the concerned media through time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy (TRFA) measurements. TRFA studies have revealed that with the addition of Li+ ion, coordination between the Li+ ions and anions of MILs and DILs takes place in the ionic region leading to a change in the structural organization of the apolar regions of the respective medium. In fact, upon adding lithium-ions, a reduction in the packing of alkyl chains has also been observed for the MILs. However, not much change in the structural organization of the apolar region of the DIL has been observed when Li+ ion is added to it. In the presence of Li+ ions, a similar trend in the change of structural organization of polar regions for both MILs and DIL has been observed. Further, measurements of the self-diffusion coefficient through NMR have also supported the observation that Li+ ion also perturbs the nanostructural organization of the MIL in a significant manner than that it does for the DIL. The behavior of DIL in the presence of Li+ ion, as revealed by the present study, has been rationalized by considering the folded arrangement of DIL in the fluid-structure. Essentially, all of these investigations have suggested that the addition of lithium-ion significantly alters the microscopic behavior of MILs in comparison to that of DIL. The outcome of this study is expected to be helpful in realizing the potentials of these media as electrolytes in battery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjari Chakraborty
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatani, Khordha-752050, Odisha, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Sahadev Barik
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatani, Khordha-752050, Odisha, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Amita Mahapatra
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatani, Khordha-752050, Odisha, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Moloy Sarkar
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, Bhimpur-Padanpur, Jatani, Khordha-752050, Odisha, India.,Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, 400094, India
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Electronic excitation spectra of organic semiconductor/ionic liquid interface by electrochemical attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy. Commun Chem 2021; 4:88. [PMID: 36697533 PMCID: PMC9814848 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-021-00525-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The interface of organic semiconductor films is of particular importance with respect to various electrochemical devices such as transistors and solar cells. In this study, we developed a new spectroscopic system, namely electrochemical attenuated total reflectance ultraviolet (EC-ATR-UV) spectroscopy, which can access the interfacial area. Ionic liquid-gated organic field-effect transistors (IL-gated OFETs) were successfully fabricated on the ATR prism. Spectral changes of the organic semiconductor were then investigated in relation to the gate voltage application and IL species, and the magnitude of spectral changes was found to correlate positively with the drain current. Additionally, the Stark shifts of not only the organic semiconductor, but also of the IL on the organic semiconductor films were detected. This new method can be applied to other electrochemical devices such as organic thin film solar cells, in which the interfacial region is crucial to their functioning.
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Wang YL, Li B, Sarman S, Mocci F, Lu ZY, Yuan J, Laaksonen A, Fayer MD. Microstructural and Dynamical Heterogeneities in Ionic Liquids. Chem Rev 2020; 120:5798-5877. [PMID: 32292036 PMCID: PMC7349628 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ionic liquids (ILs) are a special category of molten salts solely composed of ions with varied molecular symmetry and charge delocalization. The versatility in combining varied cation-anion moieties and in functionalizing ions with different atoms and molecular groups contributes to their peculiar interactions ranging from weak isotropic associations to strong, specific, and anisotropic forces. A delicate interplay among intra- and intermolecular interactions facilitates the formation of heterogeneous microstructures and liquid morphologies, which further contributes to their striking dynamical properties. Microstructural and dynamical heterogeneities of ILs lead to their multifaceted properties described by an inherent designer feature, which makes ILs important candidates for novel solvents, electrolytes, and functional materials in academia and industrial applications. Due to a massive number of combinations of ion pairs with ion species having distinct molecular structures and IL mixtures containing varied molecular solvents, a comprehensive understanding of their hierarchical structural and dynamical quantities is of great significance for a rational selection of ILs with appropriate properties and thereafter advancing their macroscopic functionalities in applications. In this review, we comprehensively trace recent advances in understanding delicate interplay of strong and weak interactions that underpin their complex phase behaviors with a particular emphasis on understanding heterogeneous microstructures and dynamics of ILs in bulk liquids, in mixtures with cosolvents, and in interfacial regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Lei Wang
- Department
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bin Li
- School
of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, P. R. China
| | - Sten Sarman
- Department
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francesca Mocci
- Department
of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University
of Cagliari, I-09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Zhong-Yuan Lu
- State
Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, Institute
of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, P. R. China
| | - Jiayin Yuan
- Department
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aatto Laaksonen
- Department
of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Arrhenius Laboratory, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- State
Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 210009, P. R. China
- Centre of
Advanced Research in Bionanoconjugates and Biopolymers, Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Aleea Grigore Ghica-Voda, 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania
- Department
of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Division of Energy Science, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Michael D. Fayer
- Department
of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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Tanabe I, Suyama A, Sato T, Fukui KI. Potential Dependence of Electronic Transition Spectra of Interfacial Ionic Liquids Studied by Newly Developed Electrochemical Attenuated Total Reflectance Spectroscopy. Anal Chem 2019; 91:3436-3442. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b04931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Tanabe
- Department of Materials Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3, Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan
| | - Aki Suyama
- Department of Materials Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3, Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan
| | - Taiki Sato
- Department of Materials Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3, Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Fukui
- Department of Materials Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3, Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-8531, Japan
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