One redox probe (dmfc) can drive the transfer of anions and cations across the aqueous electrolyte∣ionic liquid interface

Three-phase electrodes consisting of droplets of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate containing decamethylferrocenium (dmfc+) cations, immobilized on the surface of graphite electrodes and immersed in aqueous electrolyte solutions have been employed to study the redox driven transfer of anions and cations. Very surprisingly, it has been observed that anions as well as cations can be transferred with one redox probe (dmfc/dmfc+) because the Gibbs energies of ion transfer of the different ions are rather similar.