Molecular Films of Water-Miscible Ionic Liquids Formed on Glassy Carbon Electrodes: Characterization and Electrochemical Applications

Abstract

This letter describes the formation and possible electrochemical applications of molecular films of water-miscible imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) on glassy carbon (GC) electrodes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical results indicate that the water-miscible ILs used in this study can interact with the GC electrode and form molecular films on the electrode surface. The formed molecular films are found to possess striking electrochemical properties such as electrocatalysis toward ascorbic acid (AA) and the capability to facilitate direct electron transfer of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). This demonstration would pave the way for new electrochemical applications of water-miscible ILs and is envisaged to be useful for the investigation of the electrochemical properties of water-miscible ILs in aqueous media provided the same counteranion is used as the supporting electrolyte.