Surface structure of imidazolium-based ionic liquids: Quantitative comparison between simulations and high-resolution RBS measurements

Elemental depth profiles of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([CnMIM][TFSI], n = 4, 6, 8) are measured using high-resolution Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (HRBS). The profiles are compared with the results of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Both MD simulations and HRBS measurements show that the depth profiles deviate from the uniform stoichiometric composition in the surface region, showing preferential orientations of ions at the surface. The MD simulations qualitatively reproduce the observed HRBS profiles but the agreement is not satisfactory. The observed discrepancy is ascribed to the capillary waves. By taking account of the surface roughness induced by the capillary waves, the agreement becomes almost perfect.