Electrochemical cell for neutron reflectometry studies of the structure of ionic liquids at electrified interface

Lauw, Y; Rodopoulos, T; Gross, M; Nelson, A; Gardner, R; Horne, MD

Electrochemical cell for neutron reflectometry studies of the structure of ionic liquids at electrified interface

Date

2010-07

Authors

Publisher

American Institute of Physics

Abstract

We describe the design and use of a closed three-electrode electrochemical cell for neutron reflectometry studies of the structure of the electrical double-layer in ionic liquids. A transparent glass counter electrode was incorporated to allow easy monitoring of any gas bubbles trapped in the cell. A 100 mm diameter silicon wafer polished to 0.1 nm rms roughness coated with gold over a chromium adhesion layer was used as the working electrode. The utility of the cell was demonstrated during neutron reflectometry measurements of the ultrahigh purity ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C4mpyr][NTf2]) at two different applied potentials. © 2010, American Institute of Physics

Keywords

Electrochemical cells, Electrodes, Silicon, Neutron reflectors, Liquids, Layers

Citation

Lauw, Y., Rodopoulos, T., Gross, M., Nelson, A., Gardner, R., & Home, M. D. (2010). Electrochemical cell for neutron reflectometry studies of the structure of ionic liquids at electrified interface. Review of Scientific Instruments, 81(7), 074101. doi:10.1063/1.3455178