The unique properties of ionic liquids (ILs) lead to new and distinctive structural and interfacial properties in nanoscale films. Because most ILs have negligible vapor pressures, ultrahigh vacuum surface and thin film methods can be used to prepare and study IL nanofilms. Ultrathin films prepared by both physical vapor deposition and spin-coating methods will be compared, using analysis from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray reflectivity. Surface morphologies of the nanofilms will be reported for systems in which we systematically change the chemical functionalization of the cation or anion. Substrates used include silicon, silicon oxide, glassy carbon and gold, with film thicknesses ranging from monolayer to tens of nanometers. Both non-wetting and wetting behaviors of the ILs are observed for these substrates. Understanding the local ordering of the IL anions and cations at a solid interface can lead to optimized electrolyte-electrode interfaces for energy storage, display or other devices.

Structure and wetting of ionic liquid nanofilms

248th National Meeting (2014)

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