The utilization of ionic liquids (ILs) for future electrochemical applications shows great promise. Recently ILs have been investigated for many electrochemical systems however, further characterization and development of ILs remains as they are utilized in devices such as batteries, capacitors, fuel cells, sensors, and other applications. In this study, we present time resolved (TRS) FTIR spectroscopy data as a means to characterize interfaces between IL-based electrolytes and gold electrodes. These data are important in that dynamic interactions at the electrode/electrolyte interface are crucial to device efficiency, power density, sensitivity, et cetera.

Understanding the interface between ionic liquids (ILs) and electroactive surfaces is of great importance for a wide range of applications including batteries, capacitors, and sensors. In this work, we discuss analyses and characterization of the structure and dynamics of the electric double layer (EDL) by surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRA). In particular, we are interested in developing a high throughput imaging version of the SEIRA consisting of a quantum cascade laser coupled to a hyperspectral imaging camera detector. Rather than generating single spectra at a time for single experiments, hyperspectral imaging techniques can be utilized to both increase signal to noise for capturing rapid dynamics while multiplexing experiments simultaneously. We are particularly interested in IL systems which exhibit hysteresis at interfaces. That is, systems for which interfacial structure is dependent on past events. Here, we discuss several cases studies and some preliminary findings.