Interfaces between ionic liquids and low temperature plasmas - A novel type of fluid/fluid interface

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Frank Endres; Professor Dr. Jürgen Janek
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
• Term: from 2006 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 29487753

Ionic liquids form a highly interesting group of solvents for electrochemical processes - mainly due to the combination of their high electrical conductivity, their electrochemical stability and their ability to dissolve a wide range of compounds. In addition, the large variety of ionic liquids offers the prospect of tailor-made solutions for different electrochemical applications. The crucial element of most electrochemical processes is the interface between the electrolyte (the ionic liquid) and an electron-conducting electrode material (usually a metal). The properties of the interface (morphology, double layer structure and capacity, electrode kinetics) are usually decisive for the results of the process. In our project we propose to explore and study systematically the interface between ionic liquids and low temperature plasmas (gas discharges) as a new system both in the chemistry of ionic liquids and in electrochemistry. In line with this general aim we plan to investigate and to understand this specific fluid/fluid interface both from the thermodynamic and the kinetic point of view. The cathodic metal deposition at the ionic liquid/plasma interface will be studied as a model process in order to probe the interfacial properties as a function of the parameters determined by the ionic liquid and the neighbouring plasma. The characteristics of the metal deposition at the free interface of the ionic liquid towards the plasma will be compared with the characteristics of conventional cathodic deposition at solid electrodes and less conventional deposition at liquid/liquid interfaces.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1191: Ionic Liquids