First-Principles Characterization and Experimental Validation of the Solid-Solid Interface in a Novel Organosulfur Cathode for the Li-S Battery.

Organosulfur silanes grafted on an aluminum current collector have been proposed and demonstrated to function as a sulfur source in the cathode for a lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery. Bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]disulfide silane (TESPD) and bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]tetrasulfide silane (TESPT) are typical examples of organosulfur complexes used for the study. These organosulfur silanes act as an insulator. Formation of polysulfides (Li2Sx), which is a major bottleneck in the case of elemental sulfur, can be eliminated using this novel cathode. In the absence of charge-carrying polysulfide species, the role of insulating TESPD/TESPT in the charge conduction pathway is an open question. Insight into the interface between the Al current collector and grafted TESPD/TESPT at an atomic level is a prerequisite for addressing the charge conduction pathway. The systematic theoretical methodology is developed based on electronic structure calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to propose the realistic cathode model (hydration environment) for the Li-S battery. A cluster model is developed to predict the reduction potentials of TESPD/TESPT disclosing the reduction reaction with Li, resulting in the intramolecular S-S bond breaking which is validated by experimental cyclic voltammetry measurements. A realistic cathode model between the aluminum current collector and TESPD/TESPT is also proposed to mimic the experimental conditions where the Al surface was exposed to O2 and H2O. The top few layers of Al are transformed into α-Al2O3 and covered with H2O molecules in the vicinity of grafted TESPD/TESPT. The structural models are further validated by comparing simulated S 2p binding energies with experimental X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies.

Influence of substituents and functional groups on the surface composition of ionic liquids.

We have performed a systematic study addressing the surface behavior of a variety of functionalized and non-functionalized ionic liquids (ILs). From angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, detailed conclusions on the surface enrichment of the functional groups and the molecular orientation of the cations and anions is derived. The systems include imidazolium-based ILs methylated at the C2 position, a phenyl-functionalized IL, an alkoxysilane-functionalized IL, halo-functionalized ILs, thioether-functionalized ILs, and amine-functionalized ILs. The results are compared with the results for corresponding non-functionalized ILs where available. Generally, enrichment of the functional group at the surface is only observed for systems that have very weak interaction between the functional group and the ionic head groups.

Electrospray ionization deposition of ultrathin ionic liquid films: [C8C1Im]Cl and [C8C1Im][Tf2N] on Au(111).

We introduce a new method for preparing ultrathin ionic liquid (IL) films on surfaces by means of electrospray ionization deposition (ESID) under ultraclean and well-defined ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) conditions. In contrast to physical vapor deposition (PVD) of ILs under UHV, ESID even allows deposition of ILs, which are prone to thermal decomposition. As proof of concept, we first investigated ultrathin [C8C1Im][Tf2N] (=1-methyl-3-octyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl)imide) films on Au(111) by angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS). Films obtained by ESID are found to be virtually identical to films grown by standard PVD. Thereafter, ESID of [C8C1Im]Cl on Au(111) was studied as a first example of an IL that cannot be prepared as ultrathin film otherwise. [C8C1Im]Cl forms a wetting layer with a checkerboard arrangement with the cationic imidazolium ring and the chloride anion adsorbed next to each other on the substrate and the alkyl chain pointing toward vacuum. This arrangement within the wetting layer is similar to that observed for [C8C1Im][Tf2N], albeit with a higher degree of order of the alkyl chains. Further deposition of [C8C1Im]Cl leads to a pronounced island growth on top of the wetting layer, which is independently confirmed by ARXPS and atomic force microscopy. This behavior contrasts the growth behavior found for [C8C1Im][Tf2N], where layer-by-layer growth on top of the wetting layer is observed. The dramatic difference between both ILs is attributed to differences in the cation-anion interactions and in the degree of order in the wetting layer of the two ILs.

Temperature-dependent surface-enrichment effects of imidazolium-based ionic liquids.

We present the first systematic study of the influence of temperature on the degree of surface enrichment of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs). Using angle-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the degree of surface enrichment strongly decreases with increasing temperature for all the studied ILs. For ILs with the same cation, but different anions, [C8 C1 Im]Br, [C8 C1 Im][TfO] and [C8 C1 Im][Tf2 N], no significant differences of the temperature-induced partial loss of surface enrichment are found. Measurements for [C4 C1 Im][TfO], [C8 C1 Im][TfO] and [C18 C1 Im][TfO] indicate a small effect of the chain length. For [C18 C1 Im][TfO], a continuous decrease of alkyl surface enrichment is found with increasing temperature, with no abrupt changes at the phase-transition temperature from the smectic A to the isotropic phase, indicating that the surface enrichment is not affected by this phase transition.

Low melting Li/K/Cs acetate salt mixtures as new ionic media for catalytic applications--first physico-chemical characterization.

In order to expand the temperature limits of Supported Ionic Liquid Phase (SILP) or Solid Catalyst with Ionic Liquid Layer (SCILL) systems to higher operation temperatures, the mixture of lithium acetate, potassium acetate, and caesium acetate (molar ratio of 0.2/0.275/0.525) has been studied in detail. Physico-chemical properties of the bulk melt are reported together with stability data of the modern salt on various solid support materials showing attractive properties for many potential high temperature applications.

Adsorption, absorption and desorption of gases at liquid surfaces: water on [C8C1Im][BF4] and [C2C1Iml][Tf2N].

The adsorption, absorption and desorption of water vapour at the liquid, and frozen solid, surfaces of two ionic liquids (ILs) is described. Surface kinetics were measured by sticking probability (S), and temperature programmed desorption, using line of sight mass spectrometry in ultra-high vacuum. The two ILs used were 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([C8C1Im][BF4]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide, (C2C1Im] [Tf2N]. At room temperature, continuous absorption into the bulk occurred (S approximately = 0.12), which reduced with decreasing temperature, reaching zero when the ILs froze to glassy solids. At still lower temperatures, monolayer, and then multilayer, growth of water ice occurred at the solid surfaces. Adsorption is thought to occur first into a physisorbed state, and then into an ionic underlayer, the activation energy between the physisorbed state and the underlayer state being 48.0 +/- 0.8 kJ mol(-1) and 58 +/- 2.0 kJ mol(-1) for [C2C1Im][Tf2N] and [C8C1Im][BF4], respectively. From the underlayer state, water diffuses into the bulk rather than desorbing back into the gas phase. Adsorption and desorption kinetics were consistent with the existence of an outermost, hydrophobic layer covering the ionic underlayer. For [C8C1Im][BF4] this consists of outwardly orientated octyl chains, while for [C2C1Im][Tf2N] it is probably outward orientated ethyl and CF3 groups. Adsorption on the hydrophobic glassy surface was unusual, with S increasing for increasing coverage. The barrier to surface diffusion of water on the glassy surface of [C8C1Im][BF4] was 13 +/- 12 kJ mol(-1).

The enthalpies of vaporisation of ionic liquids: new measurements and predictions.

The enthalpies of vaporisation, Δ(vap)H(298), of seven ionic liquids (ILs) (four imidazoliums, a pyridinium, a phosphonium and an isouronium) have been determined by temperature programmed desorption using line of sight mass spectrometry. They were: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(pentafluoroethyl)phosphinate, [C(2)C(1)Im][PO(2)(C(2)F(5))(2)]; 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octylsulfate, [C(4)C(1)Im][C(8)OSO(3)]; 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [C(4)C(1)Im][BF(4)]; 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate, [C(6)C(1)Im][FAP]; 1-butylpyridinium methylsulfate, [C(4)Py][C(1)OSO(3)]; trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium tetrafluoroborate, [P(6,6,6,14)][BF(4)] and O-ethyl-N,N,N',N'-tetramethylisouronium trifluoromethanesulfonate, [C(2)(C(1))(4)iU][TfO]. The values were found to be consistent with a previously proposed, predictive, model in which Δ(vap)H(298) is decomposed into a Coulombic component (computable from the IL density) and van der Waals components from the anion and cation. Two previously predicted values of Δ(vap)H(298) were found to be within 6 kJ mol(-1) of the measured experimental values. Values for the van der Waals components are tabulated for eleven cations and twelve anions. Predictions are made for Δ(vap)H(298) for 13 ILs with as yet unmeasured Δ(vap)H(298) values (using experimental molar volumes), and for a further 44 ILs using estimated molar volumes.

Vaporisation of an ionic liquid near room temperature.

The temperature at which the vapour phase of the ionic liquids (ILs) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethane)sulfonyl]imide, [C(2)C(1)Im][Tf(2)N], and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate, [C(2)C(1)Im][EtOSO(3)], can be detected was investigated using line-of-sight mass spectrometry (LOSMS). By optimising the detection system used in previous experiments, the lowest temperature for which vapour was detected for [C(2)C(1)Im][Tf(2)N] was approximately 340 K, whereas for [C(2)C(1)Im][EtOSO(3)] it was approximately 390 K. Initial investigations also show that the temperature at which measurements are made affects the enthalpy of vaporisation at 298 K, Delta(vap)H(298). The reasons for these differences in Delta(vap)H(298) with respect to temperature are discussed. The vapour pressure of both ILs is estimated at far lower temperatures than previously achieved and extrapolations to room temperature are given.

High vacuum distillation of ionic liquids and separation of ionic liquid mixtures.

The vaporisation of ionic liquids has been investigated using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) distillation. 1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquids, [C(n)C(1)Im][Tf(2)N] (n = 2, 8), have been distilled at UHV and T > 500 K in a specially designed still. The distillation process yielded spectroscopically pure ionic liquid distillates with complete removal of volatile impurities such as water, argon and 1-methylimidazole. Such UHV distillation offers a method of obtaining high purity ionic liquids for analytical applications. The vapour phase of the ionic liquid mixtures [C(2)C(1)Im](0.05)[C(8)C(1)Im](0.95)[Tf(2)N] and [C(2)C(1)Im][C(8)C(1)Im][Tf(2)N][EtSO(4)] has been analysed by TPD using line-of-sight mass spectrometry (LOSMS). The vapour phase consisted of all possible combinations of neutral ion pairs (NIPs) from the liquid mixture. Neither mixture showed evidence of decomposition during TPD, and the [C(2)C(1)Im](0.05)[C(8)C(1)Im](0.95)[Tf(2)N] mixture was shown to obey Raoult's law. Based on the TPD results, fractional distillations were attempted for [C(2)C(1)Im][C(8)C(1)Im][Tf(2)N](2) and [C(2)C(1)Im][C(8)C(1)Im][Tf(2)N][EtSO(4)] mixtures. The distillate from [C(2)C(1)Im][C(8)C(1)Im][Tf(2)N](2) was enhanced in the more volatile [C(2)C(1)Im][Tf(2)N] components, but the [C(2)C(1)Im][C(8)C(1)Im][Tf(2)N][EtSO(4)] mixture underwent significant decomposition. The similarities and differences between UHV TPD, and high vacuum distillation, of ionic liquids, are discussed. Design parameters are outlined for a high vacuum ionic liquid still that will minimise decomposition and maximise separation of ILs of differing volatility.

Measuring and predicting Delta(vap)H298 values of ionic liquids.

We report the enthalpies of vaporisation (measured using temperature programmed desorption by mass spectrometry) of twelve ionic liquids (ILs), covering four imidazolium, [C(m)C(n)Im]+, five pyrrolidinium, [C(n)C(m)Pyrr]+, two pyridinium, [C(n)Py]+, and a dication, [C3(C1Im)2]2+ based IL. These cations were paired with a range of anions: [BF4]-, [FeCl4]-, [N(CN)2]-, [PF3(C2F5)3]- ([FAP]-), [(CF3SO2)2N]- ([Tf2N]-) and [SCN]-. Using these results, plus those for a further eight imidazolium based ILs published earlier (which include the anions [CF3SO3]- ([TfO]-), [PF6]- and [EtSO4]-), we show that the enthalpies of vaporisation can be decomposed into three components. The first component is the Coulombic interaction between the ions, DeltaU(Cou,R), which is a function of the IL molar volume, V(m), and a parameter R(r) which quantifies the relative change in anion-cation distance on evaporation from the liquid phase to the ion pair in the gas phase. The second and third components are the van der Waals contributions from the anion, DeltaH(vdw,A), and the cation, DeltaH(vdw,C). We derive a universal value for R(r), and individual values of DeltaH(vdw,A) and DeltaH(vdw,C) for each of the anions and cations considered in this study. Given the molar volume, it is possible to estimate the enthalpies of vaporisation of ILs composed of any combination of the ions considered here; values for fourteen ILs which have not yet been studied experimentally are given.

Vaporisation of a dicationic ionic liquid.

Highest heat of vaporization yet: The dicationic ionic liquid [C(3)(C(1)Im)(2)][Tf(2)N](2) evaporates as a neutral ion triplet. These neutral ion triplets can then be ionised to form singly and doubly charged ions. The mass spectrum exhibits the dication attached to one remaining anion, and the naked dication itself (see picture).

Pyrrolidinium-based ionic liquids. 1-Butyl-1-methyl pyrrolidinium dicyanoamide: thermochemical measurement, mass spectrometry, and ab initio calculations.

The standard molar enthalpy of formation of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium dicyanamide has been determined at 298 K by means of combustion calorimetry, while the enthalpy of vaporization and the mass spectrum of the vapor (ion pairs) have been determined by temperature-programmed desorption and line of sight mass spectrometry. Ab initio calculations for 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium dicyanamide have been performed using the G3MP2 and CBS-QB3 theory, and the results from homodesmic reactions are in excellent agreement with the experiments.

Water adsorption on a liquid surface.

Monolayer adsorption of water onto an ionic liquid in ultra-high vacuum has been demonstrated, revealing a heat of adsorption which exceeds the heat of absorption into the bulk liquid by approximately 40 kJ mol(-1).