Communication: Coordination structure of bromide ions associated with hexyltrimethylammonium cations at liquid/liquid interfaces under potentiostatic control as studied by total-reflection X-ray absorption fine structure

Total-reflection X-ray absorption fine structure (TR-XAFS) technique was applied for the first time to an interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions under potentiostatic control. The hydration structure of bromide ions was investigated at polarized 2-octanone/water interfaces. TR-XAFS spectra at Br K-edge measured in the presence of hexyltrimethylammonium bromide (C 6TAB) were slightly modified depending on the Galvani potential difference (Δowφ). The extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis exposed hydration structure changes of bromide ions at the polarized interface. The coordination structure of bromide ions at the interface could be analyzed as compared with bromide ions dissolved in aqueous solution and Br --exchanged resin having quaternary ammonium groups. The results indicated that bromide ions were associated with C6TA+ at the polarized interface. The relative contribution of ion association form of bromide ions with quaternary ammonium groups was enhanced at a potential close to the ion transfer of C6TA+, where the interfacial concentration of C6TA+ is increased as a function of Δowφ. © 2014 AIP Publishing LLC