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Electrocatalytic studies on imidazolium based ionic liquids: defining experimental conditions
Miguel A Montiel1, José Solla-Gullón, Vicente Montiel
1Instituto Universitario de Electroquímica, Universidad de Alicante, Ap. 99, 03080 Alicante, Spain.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|July 7, 2018
Summary
Reproducible electrochemical results in room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) require purification and filtered gas streams. Proper experimental conditions are crucial for accurate electrocatalytic studies, such as CO2 reduction on platinum nanoparticles.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Reproducible electrochemical studies in room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) are challenging due to impurities.
- Common purification methods and gas purging techniques can introduce water and electroactive impurities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reliable experimental conditions for reproducible electrochemistry in RTILs.
- To investigate the impact of impurities on electrocatalytic CO2 reduction.
Main Methods:
- Purification of RTILs ([C4mim][BF4], [C4mim][NTf2], [C4m2im][NTf2]).
- Implementation of a gas stream purification filter to prevent impurity ingress.
- Cyclic voltammetry to study CO2 electroreduction on Pt nanoparticles.
Main Results:
- Purified RTILs with filtered gas streams yielded featureless voltammograms, indicating successful impurity removal.
- Bubbling inert gas directly through RTILs was identified as a significant source of contamination.
- Pt nanoparticles exhibited CO2 electroreduction activity in [C4mim][NTf2] and [C4m2im][NTf2], but not in [C4mim][BF4].
Conclusions:
- Effective RTIL purification and gas filtration are essential for reproducible electrochemical measurements.
- The C-2 position of the imidazolium ring is not critical for CO2 electroreduction on Pt nanoparticles.
- Hydrophilicity of the RTIL plays a role in the electrocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction.
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