Abstract
In this work, we comparatively investigated the interfacial structures at Au(111) electrode surfaces in two ionic liquids (ILs) with different alkyl chain lengths by combining AFM force curve technique and electrochemical methods. The number and stability of the layering structures, and their potential-dependency were analyzed. The experimental results indicated that the tendencies of force-potential curves in the two ILs behave the same way. At potentials close to PZC, the ions arrange loosely, which lowers the stability of the layering structure. As the potential shifting away from PZC, more ions attach to electrode surface, which increases the stability of layering structure, while further increase of the ions will weaken the stability because of the lattice saturation of ions. However, the location of the alkyl chain at potentials negative to the PZC differs from that at potentials positive to the PZC, leading to an adverse effect on the stability at negatively charged surface and a synergistic effect on the stability at positively charged surface, respectively.
Graphical Abstract
Keywords
ionic liquids, electrochemical interface, atomic force microscopy, force curve
Publication Date
2018-10-28
Online Available Date
2018-10-15
Revised Date
2018-08-30
Received Date
2018-07-21
Recommended Citation
Li CHEN, Shuai LIU, Mian-gang LI, Jian-jia Su, Jia-wei YAN, Bing-wei MAO.
An Investigation on the Structure of Au(111)/Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquid Interface: Effect of Alkyl Side Chain Length[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry,
2018
,
24(5): 511-516.
DOI: 10.13208/j.electrochem.180148
Available at:
https://jelectrochem.xmu.edu.cn/journal/vol24/iss5/9
Included in
Materials Chemistry Commons, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons, Physical Chemistry Commons