Monitoring potassium metal electrodeposition from an ionic liquid using in situ electrochemical-X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

► In situ electrodeposition-XPS performed in an ionic liquid for the first time. ► Novel cell design prepared for use in conventional XPS chambers. ► Cyclic voltammetry performed in the XPS chamber. ► Real time monitoring of reactive metal (potassium) electrodeposition demonstrated.