Silicon electrochemistry in fluorohydrogenate ionic liquids is partly hampered owing to the incapability of producing an accurate and reproducible potential measurement due to a lack of appropriate reference electrodes. This research work describes a simple assembly of a stable external reference electrode enabling accurate studies of silicon electrochemistry in fluorohydrogenate ionic liquids. The electrode configuration is based on the ferrocene/ferrocenium (Fc|Fc(+)) couple dissolved in the EMIm(HF)(2.3)F (1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium fluorohydrogenate)/Carbopol 941 gel. A stable potential of 2.5 wt% Carbopol-based electrode was measured versus a calomel reference electrode at 250 ± 3 mV. By utilizing the constructed electrode, an intensive electrochemical investigation on n-type silicon in EMIm(HF)(2.3)F was conducted. Flat-band and open circuit potentials were measured, along with Si-air half- and full-cell electrochemical measurements. A suggested mechanism for the n-type Si dissolution process in the EMIm(HF)(2.3)F electrolyte, without illumination, is discussed as well.

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