Electroanalytical Determination of Trace Chloride in Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids

The electroanalytical quantification of chloride in [C4mim][BF4], [C4mim][NTf2], and [C4mim][PF6] ionic liquids has been explored using linear sweep and square wave voltammetry. Cathodic stripping voltammetry at a silver disk electrode is found to be the most sensitive. The methodology is based on first holding the potential of the electrode at +2.0 V (vs Ag wire), to accumulate silver chloride at the electrode. On applying a cathodic scan, a stripping wave is observed corresponding to the reduction of the silver chloride. This stripping protocol was found to detect ppb levels of chloride in [C4mim][BF4], [C4mim][NTf2], and [C4mim][PF6]. Although other methods for chloride have been reported for [BF4]-- and [PF6]--based ionic liquids, no methods have been reported for [NTf2]- ionic liquids.