X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of trihalide ionic liquids: comparison to halide-based analogues, anion basicity and beam damage

Men, S., Lovelock, K. R. J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1431-269X and Licence, P. (2017) X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of trihalide ionic liquids: comparison to halide-based analogues, anion basicity and beam damage. Chemical Physics Letters, 679. pp. 207-211. ISSN 0009-2614 doi: 10.1016/j.cplett.2017.05.010

Abstract/Summary

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to investigate two 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium trihalide ionic liquids, with anions including triiodide and iododibromide. The electronic environment of each element present in ionic liquids studied herein is analysed and compared to their halide-based analogous. The anion basicity is compared based upon the measured N 1s binding energy. The iododibromide ionic liquid is studied as a representative sample to illustrate the beam damage effect. Due to the beam damage, there is a new formed bromine component observed. This effect is calculated and demonstrated for all elements present within the ionic liquid. It suggests that the beam induced decomposition caused a stoichiometric loss of bromine atom and iodine atom.