Evaluation of the wetting time of porous electrodes in electrolytic solutions containing ionic liquid

Kühnel R-S, Obeidi S, Lübke M, Lex-Balducci A, Balducci A

Abstract

The wetting time of porous electrodes with electrolytes based on organic solvents and ionic liquids, respectively, was investigated with two different techniques: with a tensiometer and by impedance spectroscopy. The results of this study showed that the wetting time of a porous electrode with ionic liquid-based electrolytes is up to 20 times longer than that with electrolytes comprising organic solvents. A significant reduction in the wetting time with ionic liquid-based electrolytes could be achieved by adding organic solvents. This effect can be explained by the interplay of reduced viscosity, increased surface tension and change in contact angle caused by the addition of the organic solvent, with the lower viscosity being the main driver of improved wetting kinetics. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.