Water and Acid Assisted Dissolution and Electrochemistry of f-Elements in Ionic Liquid

Analytical Chemistry Seminar Series

Ionic Liquids (ILs) are traditionally poor solvents for the dissolution of metal species due to inherent low wettability.  Thus, the electrochemical analysis of f-elements in ILs has been limited due to the low inherent solubility of the species.  The literature provides a measure of the importance of acid and water in increasing solubility of f-elements in aqueous systems.  However, the dissolution of f-element species and coordination of soluble species is not well defined in ILs.  We have achieved enhanced solubility through the direct dissolution of f-element oxides and carbonate species in ILs containing water and acid.  Although water and acid improve the solubility of the f-elements, they are viewed as secondary contaminants that can adversely influence the electrochemical measurements of species in IL environments.  However, our studies show the inclusion of water does not dramatically influence the electrochemical environment or inhibit the reduction and deposition of the f-elements at electrode surfaces.  The issues outline have provided the motivation for a more systematic and comprehensive evaluation the role of acid and water in the solubility and the electrochemical analysis of f-elements dissolved in IL trimethyl-n-butylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Me₃NⁿBu][TFSI]). 

For more information contact Prof. Jiri (Art) Janata (404-894-4828).

Prof. Hatchett's web site