This presentation describes experimental results aimed at identifying the atomic structure of the interface between liquid electrolytes and liquid metal electrodes while under electrochemical control. The motivation is to understand such platforms better for the purpose of materials synthesis. X-Ray reflectivity (XRR) was used to probe the local atomic detail of liquid water/liquid Hg interfaces used for crystalline Ge electrodeposition. XRR measurements of Hg immersed in 0.1 M Na2B4O7 (aq) both with and without 0.05 M GeO2 were explored at several different potentials where Hg either is net positively or net negatively charged. The data suggest a pristine water/Hg interface in the absence of dissolved GeO2. In solutions containing dissolved GeO2, a persistent increased in electron density at the interface was consistent with non-specific adsorption of H2GeO3. At the most positive potentials, the XRR and electrochemical data indicated a condensed phase forms at the Hg interface. The cumulative observables suggest the formation of a polygermanate film, driven by electrochemical deprotonation of adsorbed H2GeO3.

In-Situ electrochemical X-Ray reflectivity of liquid metal-electrolyte interfaces

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.