Electrochemically induced phase separation and in situ formation of mesoporous structures in ionic liquid mixtures

Abstract

Tailoring mesoporous structures via electrochemically induced phase separation at solid/ionic-liquid interface is shown.

Structure and Stability of the Ionic Liquid Clusters [EMIM]n[BF4]n+1– (n = 1–9): Implications for Electrochemical Separations

“…The tendency toward heterogeneity triggers micelle formation, which may be exploited for separation and extraction of targeted molecules from mixtures in solution. Electrochemically induced phase formation on a gold electrode in the presence of an IL was recently used to achieve controlled selective extraction of silane from an electrolyte . However, the governing factors that determine different mechanisms of aggregation of ILs are not well-understood.…”

Exploring how cation entropy influences electric double layer formation and electrochemical reactivity

“…78 In experiments by Lahiri and coworkers, the mechanism for potential-dependent phase separation in ionic liquid-containing electrolytes was through the formation of unstable bonds, resulting in the eventual decomposition of the electrolyte into two phases. 79…”

“…78 In experiments by Lahiri and coworkers, the mechanism for potential-dependent phase separation in ionic liquid-containing electrolytes was through the formation of unstable bonds, resulting in the eventual decomposition of the electrolyte into two phases. 79 Even more interestingly, electrolytes containing only 10 mM [BisMImO][TFSI] 2 (with 115 mM [BMIm][TFSI]) formed a clear liquid phase on the electrode surface that was distinguishable from the bulk electrolyte under CO 2 -sparged conditions but not in Ar-sparged conditions. We hypothesize that this is due to the formation of the [BisMImO] 2+ (bi)carbonate salt, where the concentration of the salt is not sufficient to induce precipitation.…”

Surface-Oxygen Induced Electrochemical Self-Assembly of Mesoporous Conducting Polymers for Electrocatalysis

“…Thus, based on the CV and polymer morphology it is evident that the presence of oxygen on the Cu substrate leads to the deposition of porous polymers. The possibility of electrochemical formation of porous polymers in ionic liquids can be due to either phase separation 17 or self-assembly. From in situ optical microscopic analysis, no liquid phase separation was observed.…”