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Ionic liquids at the surface of graphite: Wettability and structure
Emilie Bordes1, Laurent Douce2, Edward L Quitevis3
1Institut de Chimie de Clermont-Ferrand, Université Clermont Auvergne and CNRS, 63178 Aubière, France.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|October 12, 2018
Summary
This study explores graphite-liquid interactions using surface tension and contact angle measurements. Ionic liquids with specific cation structures, like large alkyl side-chains or benzyl groups, show enhanced affinity for graphite surfaces.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Surface Science
Background:
- Understanding the interface between carbon materials and liquids is crucial for applications in energy storage and catalysis.
- Ionic liquids and molecular liquids offer tunable properties for surface interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interfacial behavior of graphite with various molecular and ionic liquids.
- To determine the influence of liquid properties and molecular structure on graphite wetting and interfacial energy.
Main Methods:
- Experimental measurement of liquid surface tension and graphite-liquid contact angles.
- Calculation of solid/liquid interfacial energy.
- Molecular dynamics simulations to analyze ion ordering at the graphite interface.
Main Results:
- Interfacial energy varied significantly among the tested ionic liquids, ranging from 14.5 to 37.8 mN m⁻¹.
- Ionic liquids with imidazolium cations featuring large alkyl side-chains or benzyl groups exhibited stronger interactions with graphite.
- Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that these structural features enhance ion ordering at the graphite surface.
Conclusions:
- Interfacial energy is a key descriptor for liquid affinity to graphite, but surface tension and contact angle are also significant.
- Cation structure, specifically large alkyl side-chains and benzyl groups, dictates the favorable interaction and ordering of ionic liquids on graphite surfaces.
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