A Water-Free ITIES: Ionic Liquid/Oil Interface for Base Metal Nanostructure Formation - Zn Case

Abstract

Reductive metal deposition at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES), the oil/water interface, is an attractive methodology to produce metal nanostructures. However, the metals that can be deposited are limited to noble metals; otherwise, water molecules are reduced. Herein, a method to overcome this limitation by utilizing a novel water-free ITIES between a hydrophilic ionic liquid and oil was introduced. As proof-of-concept experiments, the reductive deposition of zinc, a base metal with a standard redox potential more negative than that of water, was successfully realized at the ionic liquid/oil interface. The morphology of the zinc nanostructures was investigated, and the reaction mechanism was discussed, in which the electron transfer and ion transfer reactions across the interface simultaneously occurred to maintain the electroneutrality of the liquids.