Chloroaluminate systems electrodeposition

The electrodeposition of Ag has also been intensively investigated [41 3]. In the chloroaluminates - as in the case of Cu - it is only deposited from acidic solutions. The deposition occurs in one step from Ag(I). On glassy carbon and tungsten, three-dimensional nucleation was reported [41]. Quite recently it was reported that Ag can also be deposited in a one-electron step from tetrafluoroborate ionic liquids [43]. However, the charge-transfer reaction seems to play an important role in this medium and the deposition is not as reversible as in the chloroaluminate systems. 

In many ways, chloroaluminate molten salts are ideal solvents for the electrodeposition of transition metal-aluminum alloys because they constitute a reservoir of reducible aluminum-containing species, they are excellent solvents for many transition metal ions, and they exhibit good intrinsic ionic conductivity. In fact, the first organic salt-based chloroaluminate melt, a mixture of aluminum chloride and 1-ethylpyridinium bromide (EtPyBr), was formulated as a solvent for electroplating aluminum [55, 56] and subsequently used as a bath to electroform aluminum waveguides [57], Since these early articles, numerous reports have been published that describe the electrodeposition of aluminum from this and related chloroaluminate systems for examples, see Liao et al. [58] and articles cited therein. 

The electrodeposition of silver from chloroaluminate ionic liquids has been studied by several authors [45-47], Katayama et al. [48] reported that the room-temperature ionic liquid l-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([EMIM]BF4) is applicable as an alternative electroplating bath for silver. The ionic liquid [EMIM]BF4 is superior to the chloroaluminate systems since the electrodeposition of silver can be performed without contamination of aluminum. Electrodeposition of silver in the ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM]BF4) and l-butyl-3-methylimidazoliumhexafluorophosphate was also reported [49], Recently we showed that isolated silver nanoparticles can be deposited on the surface of the ionic liquid Tbutyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonate ([BMIMJTfO) by electrochemical reduction with free electrons from low-temperature plasma [50] (see Chapter 10). This unusual reaction represents a novel electrochemical process, leading to the reproducible growth of nanoscale materials. In our experience silver is quite easy to deposit in many air- and water-stable ionic liquids. 

Room-temperature ionic liquids (denoted RTILs) have been studied as novel electrolytes for a half-century since the discovery of the chloroaluminate systems. Recently another system consisting of fluoroanions such as BF4 and PFg , which have good stability in air, has also been extensively investigated. In both systems the nonvolatile, noncombustible, and heat resistance nature of RTILs, which cannot be obtained with conventional solvents, is observed for possible applications in lithium batteries, capacitors, solar cells, and fuel cells. The nonvolatility should contribute to the long-term durability of these devices. The noncombustibility of a safe electrolyte is especially desired for the lithium battery [1]. RTILs have been also studied as an electrodeposition bath [2]. 

Chloroaluminate(III) ionic liquid systems are perhaps the best established and have been most extensively studied in the development of low-melting organic ionic liquids with particular emphasis on electrochemical and electrodeposition applications, transition metal coordination chemistry, and in applications as liquid Lewis acid catalysts in organic synthesis. Variable and tunable acidity, from basic through neutral to acidic, allows for some very subtle changes in transition metal coordination chemistry. The melting points of [EMIM]C1/A1C13 mixtures can be as low as -90 °C, and the upper liquid limit almost 300 °C [4, 6]. 

Use of low-temperature molten systems for electrolytic processes related with tantalum and niobium and other rare refractory metals seems to hold a promise for future industrial use, and is currently of great concern to researchers. The electrochemical behavior of tantalum, niobium and titanium in low-temperature carbamide-hilide melts has been investigated by Tumanova et al. [572]. Electrodeposition of tantalum and niobium from room/ambient temperature chloroaluminate molten systems has been studied by Cheek et al. [573],... 

The electrodeposition of Zn-Mn was investigated at 80 °C in the hydrophobic tri-1-butylmethylammonium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)amide ([TBMA]+Tf2N ) [46] ionic liquid containing Zn(II) and Mn(II) species that were introduced into the ionic liquid by anodic dissolution of the respective metal electrodes. Cyclic voltam-mograms indicated that the reduction of Zn(II) occurs at a potential less negative than that of the Mn(II). Due to some kinetic limitations, which is a common phenomenon in air- and water-stable ionic liquids, incomplete oxidation of Mn electrodeposits was observed in this system. The current efficiency of Mn electrodeposition in this ionic liquid approaches 100%, which is a great improvement compared to the results obtained in aqueous solution (20-70%). Electrodeposition of Zn-Mn alloy coatings has never been carried out in chloroaluminate ionic liquid because of the unavoidable codeposition of Mn and Al. 

Callium Elemental gallium can be electrodeposited from both chloroaluminate [17] and chlorogallate [18] ionic liquids. In the latter case l-ethyl-3-methylimidazohum chloride was mixed with GaQs, thus giving a highly corrosive ionic liquid that was studied for GaAs thin film electrodeposition. In the chloroaluminates Ga can be deposited from Lewis acidic systems. It was found that the electroreduction from... 

Cd electrodeposition has been reported by Noel et al. and by Chen et al. [38,39]. CdCb was used to buffer neutral chloroaluminate liquids and the element could be deposited [38]. Chen et al. used a basic l-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride/tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid to deposit Cd successfiiUy [39]. It is formed on platinum, tungsten and glassy carbon from CdCU in a quasi-reversible two-electron reduction process. This result is promising as Te could perhaps also be deposited from such an ionic liquid thus giving a system for direct CdTe electrodeposition. 

Pure aluminum can be electrodeposited from chloroaluminate electrolytes (12-22). When an equimolar mixture of AICI3 and NaCl melts, an ionic liquid composed exclusively of Na and AlCl4 is produced. When the relative concentrations deviate from equimolar, additional ionic species are introduced. Cl is present in melts containing excess NaCl while higher orda aluminum complexes, such as AljCly, are present with excess AICI3. The chemical equilibria operative in AlCVNaCl melts under a wide range of AICI3 concentrations above the equimolar point is well known (23-26). This melt is often considered as an acid-base system where the add (AljCV ) is defined as a chloride ion acceptor and the base (AlCV) is defined as a chloride ion donor. 

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