Interfacial Polarization and Ionic Structure at the Ionic Liquid-Metal Interface Studied by Vibrational Spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Single Particle Dynamics at the Free Surface of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids

In this work, we carry out a systematic computer simulation investigation of the single particle dynamics at the free surface of imidazolium-based room temperature ionic liquids by applying intrinsic surface analysis. Besides assessing the effect of the potential model and temperature, we focus in particular on the effect of changing the anion type, and, hence, their shape and size. Further, we also address the role of the length of the cation alkyl chains, known to protrude into the vapor phase, on the surface dynamics of the ions. We observe that the surface dynamics of ionic liquids, being dominated by strong electrostatic interactions, is about 2 orders of magnitude slower than that for common molecular liquids. Furthermore, the free energy driving force for exposing apolar chains to the vapor phase "pins" the cations at the surface layer for much longer than anions, allowing them to perform noticeable lateral diffusion at the liquid surface during their stay there. On the other hand, anions, accumulated in the second layer beneath the liquid surface, stay considerably longer here than in the surface layer. The ratio of the mean surface residence time of the cations and anions depends on the relative size of the two ions: larger size asymmetry typically corresponds to larger values of this ratio. We also find, in a clear contrast with the bulk liquid phase behavior, that anions typically diffuse faster at the liquid surface than cations. Finally, our results show that the surface dynamics of the ions is largely determined by the apolar layer of the cation alkyl chains at the liquid surface, as in the absence of such a layer, cations and anions are found to behave similarly with respect to their single particle dynamics.

Spatial organization of the ions at the free surface of imidazolium-based ionic liquids

HYPOTHESIS

Experimental information on the molecular scale structure of ionic liquid interfaces is controversial, giving rise to two competing scenarios, namely the double layer-like and "chessboard"-like structures. This issue can be resolved by computer simulation methods, at least for the underlying molecular model. Systematically changing the anion type can elucidate the relative roles of electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic (or, strictly speaking, apolar) effects and steric restrictions on the interfacial properties.

SIMULATIONS

Molecular dynamics simulation is combined with intrinsic analysis methods both at the molecular and atomic levels, supplemented by Voronoi analysis of self-association.

FINDINGS

We see no evidence for the existence of a double-layer-type arrangement of the ions, or for their self-association at the surface of the liquid. Instead, our results show that cation chains associate into apolar domains that protrude into the vapour phase, while charged groups form domains that are embedded in this apolar environment at the surface. However, the apolar chains largely obscure the cation groups, to which they are bound, while the smaller and more mobile anions can more easily access the free surface, leading to a somewhat counterintuitive net excess of negative charge at the interface. Importantly, this excess charge could only be identified by applying intrinsic analysis.

Phenol as a Tethering Group to Gold Surfaces: Stark Response and Comparison to Benzenethiol

Understanding the adsorption of organic molecules on metals is important in numerous areas of surface science, including electrocatalysis, electrosynthesis, and biosensing. While thiols are commonly used to tether organic molecules on metals, it is desirable to broaden the range of anchoring groups. In this study, we use a combined spectroelectrochemical and computational approach to demonstrate the adsorption of 4-cyanophenols (CPs) on polycrystalline gold. Using the nitrile stretching vibration as a marker, we confirm the adsorption of CP on the gold electrode and compare our results with those obtained for the thiol counterpart, 4-mercaptobenzonitirle (MBN). Our results reveal that CP adsorbs on the gold electrode via the OH linker, as evidenced by the similarity in the direction and magnitude of the nitrite Stark shifts for CP and MBN. This finding paves the way for exploring new approaches to modify electrode surfaces for controlled reactivity. Furthermore, it highlights adsorption on metals as an important step in the electroreactivity of phenols.

Interfacial electric fields catalyze Ullmann coupling reactions on gold surfaces

The electric fields created at solid-liquid interfaces are important in heterogeneous catalysis. Here we describe the Ullmann coupling of aryl iodides on rough gold surfaces, which we monitor in situ using the scanning tunneling microscope-based break junction (STM-BJ) and ex situ using mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy. We find that this Ullmann coupling reaction occurs only on rough gold surfaces in polar solvents, the latter of which implicates interfacial electric fields. These experimental observations are supported by density functional theory calculations that elucidate the roles of surface roughness and local electric fields on the reaction. More broadly, this touchstone study offers a facile method to access and probe in real time an increasingly prominent yet incompletely understood mode of catalysis.

Local Electric Fields in Aqueous Electrolytes

Vibrational Stark shifts were explored in aqueous solutions of organic molecules with carbonyl- and nitrile-containing constituents. In many cases, the vibrational resonances from these moieties shifted toward lower frequency as salt was introduced into solution. This is in contrast to the blue-shift that would be expected based upon Onsager's reaction field theory. Salts containing well-hydrated cations like Mg²⁺ or Li⁺ led to the most pronounced Stark shift for the carbonyl group, while poorly hydrated cations like Cs⁺ had the greatest impact on nitriles. Moreover, salts containing I^- gave rise to larger Stark shifts than those containing Cl^-. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that cations and anions both accumulate around the probe in an ion- and probe-dependent manner. An electric field was generated by the ion pair, which pointed from the cation to the anion through the vibrational chromophore. This resulted from solvent-shared binding of the ions to the probes, consistent with their positions in the Hofmeister series. The "anti-Onsager" Stark shifts occur in both vibrational spectroscopy and fluorescence measurements.

Molecular Structure of the Surface-Immobilized Super Uranyl Binding Protein

Recently, a super uranyl binding protein (SUP) was developed, which exhibits excellent sensitivity/selectivity to bind uranyl ions. It can be immobilized onto a surface in sensing devices to detect uranyl ions. Here, sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy was applied to probe the interfacial structures of surface-immobilized SUP. The collected SFG spectra were compared to the calculated orientation-dependent SUP SFG spectra using a one-excitonic Hamiltonian approach based on the SUP crystal structures to deduce the most likely surface-immobilized SUP orientation(s). Furthermore, discrete molecular dynamics (DMD) simulation was applied to refine the surface-immobilized SUP conformations and orientations. The immobilized SUP structures calculated from DMD simulations confirmed the SUP orientations obtained from SFG data analyzed based on the crystal structures and were then used for a new round of SFG orientation analysis to more accurately determine the interfacial orientations and conformations of immobilized SUP before and after uranyl ion binding, providing an in-depth understanding of molecular interactions between SUP and the surface and the effect of uranyl ion binding on the SUP interfacial structures. We believe that the developed method of combining SFG measurements, DMD simulation, and Hamiltonian data analysis approach is widely applicable to study biomolecules at solid/liquid interfaces.

Mechanistic Insights about Electrochemical Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Derived from a Vibrational Probe

Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) is a fundamental step in a wide range of electrochemical processes, including those of interest in energy conversion and storage. Despite its importance, several mechanistic details of such reactions remain unclear. Here, we have combined a proton donor (tertiary ammonium) with a vibrational Stark-shift probe (benzonitrile), to track the process from the entry of the reactants into the electrical double layer (EDL), to the PCET reaction associated with proton donation to the electrode, and the formation of products. We have used operando vibrational spectroscopy and periodic density functional theory under electrochemical bias to assign the reactant and product peaks and their Stark shifts. We have identified three main stages for the progress of the PCET reaction as a function of applied potential. First, we have determined the potential necessary for desolvation of the reactants and their entry into the polarizing environment of the EDL. Second, we have observed the appearance of product peaks prior to the onset of steady state electrochemical current, indicating formation of a stationary population of products that does not turn over. Finally, more negative of the onset potential, the electrode attracts additional reactants, displacing the stationary products and enabling steady state current. This work shows that the integration of a vibrational Stark-shift probe with a proton donor provides critical insight into the interplay between interfacial electrostatics and heterogeneous chemical reactions. Such insights cannot be obtained from electrochemical measurements alone.