Ag(I)/Ag electrode reaction in amide-type room-temperature ionic liquids

Ag(I)/Ag electrode reaction was investigated in some amide-type room-temperature ionic liquids composed of different cations. The morphology of silver deposits and the electrochemical behavior were not sensitive to the difference in the cations of ionic liquids. On the other hand, it was suggested that the adsorption of bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide (TFSA(-)) is more important for electrodeposition of silver in both ionic liquids and aqueous solutions. The diffusion coefficients of silver cation in the ionic liquids indicated the silver cation is surrounded by TFSA(-) to form a bulky species. The rate of crystal growth of silver particles in the ionic liquids by electrochemical Ostwald ripening was much slower than that in a nitrate aqueous solution, suggesting the charge transfer in the ionic liquids is slower than that in the aqueous solution. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.