Electrodeposition of Palladium in 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Chloride Ionic Liquid

Pd electrodeposited in aqueous-based solutions suffer from hydrogen embrittlement which could be avoided using ionic liquids. Herein, electrodeposition of Pd in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]) was performed at 100 degrees C. Three types of Pd species are found having distinct reduction potentials from cyclic voltammograms (CVs). On electroreduction by potentiostating in-situ etched Ni at -1.4 V vs Pd pseudo-reference electrode, Pd was deposited into flat structures. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) showed that the Pd deposits were strongly associated with carbon containing molecules. The carbon containing molecule is most probably strongly coordinating imidazolium cations.