Abstract
The electrochemical behaviour of Fe in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Emim](+)Ntf2(-)) and mixtures with Cl- is studied with the aim of investigating the applicability of ionic liquids (IQ for the electrochemical machining of iron. Whereas in pure IL iron could not be significantly dissolved, the addition of Cl- enables the active dissolution with anodic current densities up to several mA cm(-2). Although several anodic peaks appear in the cyclic voltammograms (CV), the distinct assignment of those electrochemical processes remain difficult. In particular no proof for the formation of FeClx2-x complexes during Fe dissolution are deduced from the CV, although such complexes are shown to be stable in the employed electrolyte. In addition, we present electrochemical drilling experiments with short potential pulses, which demonstrate that electrochemical machining of Fe is, in principle, possible in IL based electrolytes, even though hampered by slow machining speed.