Investigating the gas-liquid interface in models of supported ionic liquid phases (SILPs)

SILPs, formed of thin films of ILs on porous supports such as Al2O3, are becoming important in industrial catalysis. However, the fundamental nature of the gas-liquid interface in SILPs, and how this evolves during catalysis, is poorly understood. It is proposed to use neutron reflectivity (NR) to complete studies into the surface composition and structure of ILs and IL thin films of relevance to SILP catalysis that were started in RB1920598. Once characterised, the effects of time on stream during the water-gas shift reaction, an important application for SILPs, will be studied by exposing the ILs to atmospheres of known humidity. The experiments will provide much needed insight into the interfacial structure of SILPs and investigate whether surface-active IL ions could be used to modify SILP surfaces and catalytic performance.