Ionic liquids (ILs) have a wide array of applications in biotechnology, energy and environmental sciences. Many of these processes involve either IL-solid or IL-vapor interactions. It is therefore critical we understand the fundamental interfacial properties of ILs on a molecular level. Due to the ubiquity of water, its influence on the properties of ILs has been the focus of many bulk studies and, more recently, surface science studies. Ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) is a powerful tool that is elemental and chemical specific, probes the top few nm of the IL-vapor interface up to Torr level pressures, and can quantitatively assess adsorbates in the interfacial regime. In this talk we will highlight recent efforts to understand the chemistry of IL-vapor interfaces as a function of increasing water vapor pressure using APXPS.

Water at ionic liquid-vapor interfaces

251st National Meeting (2016)

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