Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Electrical Double Layer01:30

The Electrical Double Layer

190
In the region where two bulk phases meet, an intricate electric charge distribution arises due to charge transfer, ion adsorption, molecular orientation, and charge distortion. This complex distribution is commonly referred to as the electrical double layer.When a solid electrode interfaces with ions in an electrolyte solution, the speed of electron transfer dictates the rates of oxidation and reduction. The electrode acquires a charge through the escape of atoms into the solution as cations or...
190
Network Covalent Solids02:18

Network Covalent Solids

16.6K
Network covalent solids contain a three-dimensional network of covalently bonded atoms as found in the crystal structures of nonmetals like diamond, graphite, silicon, and some covalent compounds, such as silicon dioxide (sand) and silicon carbide (carborundum, the abrasive on sandpaper). Many minerals have networks of covalent bonds.
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
16.6K
Metallic Solids02:37

Metallic Solids

21.5K
Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
21.5K
Molecular and Ionic Solids02:54

Molecular and Ionic Solids

21.0K
Crystalline solids are divided into four types: molecular, ionic, metallic, and covalent network based on the type of constituent units and their interparticle interactions.
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
21.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

How cation and diluent determine nanostructure in surface-active ionic liquids.

Journal of colloid and interface science·2026
Same author

Water doping sodium battery electrolyte controls nanostructure, interactions, and electrochemical properties.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Unexpected Inner-Sphere Versus Outer-Sphere Redox in Bilayer Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS<sub>2</sub>) from Correlative Electrochemical Imaging.

Chemical & biomedical imaging·2026
Same author

Nanoscale structural evolution of gallium-copper, gallium-zinc, and gallium-bismuth alloys.

Journal of colloid and interface science·2026
Same author

Harnessing Bacterial Lipid Coatings on Gold Nanoparticles for Enhanced Cell Adhesion Applications.

Small science·2026
Same author

Nanostructure of Polyoxometalate-Ionic Liquids: Effects of Anion Geometry and Cation Chain Length.

The journal of physical chemistry letters·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Preparation of Graphene Liquid Cells for the Observation of Lithium-ion Battery Material
10:53

Preparation of Graphene Liquid Cells for the Observation of Lithium-ion Battery Material

Published on: February 5, 2019

9.7K

Nanostructure of the Ionic Liquid-Graphite Stern Layer.

Aaron Elbourne1, Samila McDonald1, Kislon Voïchovsky2

  • 1†Discipline of Chemistry, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.

ACS Nano
|June 9, 2015
PubMed
Summary

This study reveals the nanostructure of ionic liquid interfaces using atomic force microscopy. Understanding the arrangement of ions in the Stern layer is crucial for developing advanced electrochemical devices.

Keywords:
adsorptionamplitude-modulated atomic force microscopyionic liquidsself-assemblysurface chemistry

More Related Videos

Preparation of Graphene-Supported Microwell Liquid Cells for In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy
08:30

Preparation of Graphene-Supported Microwell Liquid Cells for In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: July 15, 2019

10.8K
Optimized Fabrication Procedure for High-Quality Graphene-based Moir&#233; Superlattice Devices
11:24

Optimized Fabrication Procedure for High-Quality Graphene-based Moiré Superlattice Devices

Published on: July 11, 2025

17.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Preparation of Graphene Liquid Cells for the Observation of Lithium-ion Battery Material
10:53

Preparation of Graphene Liquid Cells for the Observation of Lithium-ion Battery Material

Published on: February 5, 2019

9.7K
Preparation of Graphene-Supported Microwell Liquid Cells for In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy
08:30

Preparation of Graphene-Supported Microwell Liquid Cells for In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: July 15, 2019

10.8K
Optimized Fabrication Procedure for High-Quality Graphene-based Moir&#233; Superlattice Devices
11:24

Optimized Fabrication Procedure for High-Quality Graphene-based Moiré Superlattice Devices

Published on: July 11, 2025

17.5K

Area of Science:

  • Electrochemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Surface Science

Background:

  • Ionic liquids (ILs) are promising solvents for electrochemical devices like batteries and capacitors.
  • Limited understanding of the Stern layer nanostructure hinders IL adoption.
  • Molecular solvents' interfacial behavior is better understood than ILs'.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the Stern layer nanostructure of the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMIm TFSI)-HOPG interface.
  • To investigate the impact of applied surface potential and additives (Li TFSI, EMIm Cl) on ion arrangements.
  • To enhance the understanding of the ionic liquid electrical double layer.

Main Methods:

  • In situ amplitude-modulated atomic force microscopy (AM-AFM) with molecular resolution.
  • Probing the EMIm TFSI-HOPG interface under applied surface potentials from ±1 V.
  • Analysis of ion arrangements with and without Li TFSI or EMIm Cl additives.

Main Results:

  • Pure EMIm TFSI forms well-defined rows (A-C-C-A unit cells) at open-circuit potential.
  • Surface potential changes induce distinct cation and anion arrangements in the Stern layer.
  • Asymmetric responses to positive and negative potentials due to differing ion affinities and packing.
  • Featureless images outside ±0.4 V suggest upright ion orientation and high enrichment.
  • Additives (Li(+) or Cl(-)) displace IL ions, creating novel structures.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides unprecedented molecular-level insight into the ionic liquid Stern layer nanostructure.
  • Understanding these interfacial structures is key to optimizing IL-based electrochemical devices.
  • The findings advance the fundamental knowledge of electrical double layers in ionic liquids.