Measuring EDL Properties of Ionic Liquid Electrolytes with AFM

Commercial battery improvements have stagnated in recent years. One area with exciting growth potential is the interface between the ionic liquid electrolytes and the battery electrode. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be used to probe the structure of ionic liquids at higher spatial resolutions than other methods, thereby quantifying the suitability of these ionic liquids for future energy storage applications. Additionally, the AFM electrochemical cell offers scientists a more flexible experimental environment than other techniques.

This app note describes:

• How AFM has enabled improved understanding of key EDL properties in future ionic liquid electrolytes
• High resolution AFM imaging of the ionic liquid EDL
• Probing ion layering with force curves
• Using photothermal excitation to improve AFM cantilever response in ionic liquids

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