Morphology of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids as Deposited by Vapor Deposition: Micro-/Nanodroplets and Thin Films

Abstract

The morphology of micro-and nanodroplets and thin films of ionic liquids (ILs) prepared through physical vapor deposition is presented. The morphology of droplets deposited on indium-tin-oxide-coated glass is presented for the extended 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C(n)C(1)im][Ntf(2)]; n = 1-8) series, and the results show the nanostructuration of ILs. The use of in-vacuum energetic particles enhances/increases the nanodroplets mobility/coalescence mechanisms and can be a pathway to the fabrication of thin IL films.