Electrochemical formation of a cesium–tin alloy in an amide-type ionic liquid

Electrochemical formation of cesium–tin alloys in 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide (BMPTFSA) containing 0.5 M CsTFSA has been studied. Cathodic decomposition of BMPTFSA on a platinum electrode was suppressed by addition of CsTFSA, suggesting that Cs⁺ accumulated on the electrode surface and hindered the reduction of BMPTFSA. Multiple cathodic current peaks were observed on a tin electrode in the ionic liquid. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray diffraction results suggested formation of cesium–tin alloys after potentiostatic cathodic reduction on the tin electrode at room temperature.