The electrochemical behaviour of butyltrimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide at negatively polarised aluminium electrode studied by in situ soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry techniques

Abstract The in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data indicate that butyltrimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (N4111(TFSI)) adsorbs strongly within the potential range −3.25 V < E < −2.25 V and specifically at E < −3.25 V (vs. Ag-QRE) at the Al electrode. Strong adsorption of the intermediates of N4111(TFSI) electrochemical decomposition was observed in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry measurements. At E < −4.25 V (vs. Ag-QRE), very intensive electrochemical reduction of N4111(TFSI) took place at the Al electrode giving gaseous products. In the potential range from − 2.25 to 0.00 V (vs. Ag-QRE), non-specific adsorption of N4111(TFSI) exists et al. surface.