Nanostructure and Dynamics of the Locally Concentrated Ionic Liquid 2:1 (wt:wt) HMIM FAP:TFTFE and HMIM FAP on Graphite and Gold Electrodes as a Function of Potential

Abstract

Video‐rate atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used to record the near‐surface nanostructure and dynamics of one pure ionic liquid (IL), 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate (HMIM FAP), and a locally‐concentrated IL comprising HMIM FAP with the low viscosity diluent 1,1,2,2‐tetrafluoroethyl 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl ether (TFTFE), on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and Au(111) electrodes as a function of potential. Over the potential range measured (open‐circuit potential ± 1 V), different near‐surface nanostructures are observed. For pure HMIM FAP, globular aggregates align in rows on HOPG, whereas elongated and worm‐like nanostructures form on Au(111). For 2:1 (wt:wt) HMIM FAP:TFTFE, larger and less defined diluent swollen IL aggregates are present on both electrodes. Long‐lived near‐surface nanostructures for HMIM FAP and the 2:1 (wt:wt) HMIM FAP:TFTFE persist on both electrodes. 2:1 (wt:wt) HMIM FAP:TFTFE mixture diffuses more rapidly than pure HMIM FAP on both electrodes with obviously higher diffusion coefficients on HOPG than on Au(111) due to weaker electrostatic and solvophobic interactions between near‐surface aggregates and Stern layer ions. These outcomes provide valuable insights for a wide range of IL applications in interface sciences, including electrolytes, catalysts, lubricants, and sensors.