Electrochemical and Spectroscopic Study of EuIII and EuII Coordination in the 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide Ionic Liquid.

Abstract

Separation processes based on room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) and electrochemical refining are promising strategies for the recovery of lanthanides from primary ores and electronic waste. However, they require the speciation of dissolved elements to be known with accuracy. In the present study, Eu coordination and EuIII /EuII electrochemical behavior as a function of water content in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMIm][NTf2 ]) was investigated using UV-visible spectrophotometry, time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. In situ measurements were performed in spectroelectrochemical cells. Under anhydrous conditions, EuIII and EuII were complexed by NTf2 , forming Eu-O and Eu-(N,O) bonds with the anion sulfoxide function and N atoms, respectively. This complexation resulted in a greater stability of EuII , and in quasi-reversible oxidation-reduction with an E0 ' potential of 0.18 V versus the ferrocenium/ferrocene (Fc+ /Fc) couple. Upon increasing water content, progressive incorporation of water in the EuIII coordination sphere occurred. This led to reversible oxidation-reduction reactions, but also to a decrease in stability of the +II oxidation state (E0 '=-0.45 V vs. Fc+ /Fc in RTIL containing 1300 mm water).