Chemical capacitance of nanoporous-nanocrystalline TiO2 in a room temperature ionic liquid

Abstract

The electrochemical behaviour of nanoporous TiO₂ in a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)amide (EMITFSI), was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance spectroscopy. Exponentially rising currents in voltammetry were attributed to the charging/discharging of electrons in the TiO₂ film and a charge transfer mechanism. The main features of the voltammetry and impedance followed the same trends in the ionic liquid as in other organic solvents and also in aqueous electrolytes. In the presence of lithium ions, the onset potential of the charge accumulation increased due to the change of the initial position of the TiO₂ conduction band. The results show that substitution of organic solvents contained in solar cells, supercapacitors or other electrochemical devices is in general feasible, though requires some adjustment in the electrolyte composition for optimal performance.