DISPENSING OF ALKALI METALS VIA ELECTRODEPOSITION USING ALKALI METAL SALTS IN IONIC LIQUIDS

1 . A method for generating alkali metal in a zero oxidation state, the method comprising

disposing an alkali metal compound in an ionic liquid, the ionic liquid comprising an organic cation and an anion; and

electrolyzing the alkali metal compound in the ionic liquid to release the alkali metal in the zero oxidation state.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein electrolyzing the alkali metal compound comprises electrodepositing the alkali metal in the zero oxidation state on an electrode.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising transferring the alkali metal in the zero oxidation state from the electrode to a vapor cell.

4 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising evaporating the alkali metal in the zero oxidation state from the electrode.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein electrolyzing the alkali metal compound comprises electrodepositing the alkali metal in the zero oxidation state on a metallized surface of a vapor cell.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the alkali metal compound is an alkali metal salt.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the alkali metal salt is an alkali metal halide, carbonate, sulfide, sulfate, nitrate, or azide.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the organic cation of the ionic liquid comprises a heteroatom selected from nitrogen, sulfur, or phosphorus.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the organic cation of the ionic liquid is selected from tetraalkylammonium, 1-alkyl-3-methyl imidazolium, 1-alkylpyridinium, N-methyl-N-alkylpyrrolidinium, trialkylsulfonium, or tetraalkylphosphonium.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein at least alkyl substituent of the organic cation is a C 1 to C 30 branched or unbranched alkyl that is optionally substituted with one or more alkenyl, alkynyl, keto, halo, ether, thioether, ester, amino, cycloalkyl, aryl, or heterocyclic substituents.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the anion of the ionic liquid is selected from fluoride, chloride, bromide, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, sulfate, alkylsufonate, or arylsulfonate.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the anion of the ionic liquid is selected from trifluoroacetate, triflate, tosylate, formate, alkylsulfate, alkylphosphate, glycolate, or nonafluorobutylsulfonate.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein disposing the alkali metal compound in the ionic liquid comprises disposing the alkali metal compound in the ionic liquid and an organic solvent.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein electrolyzing the alkali metal compound comprises electrolyzing the alkali metal compound at a temperature of no more than 40° C.

15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein electrolyzing the alkali metal compound comprises electrolyzing the alkali metal compound at a temperature of no more than 30° C.

16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein electrolyzing the alkali metal compound comprises electrolyzing the alkali metal compound in a nonaqueous environment.

17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein electrolyzing the alkali metal compound comprises electrolyzing the alkali metal compound in an inert atmosphere.

18 . A vapor cell, comprising:

a vessel; and

alkali metal disposed in the vessel, wherein the alkali metal is disposed in the vessel by electrolyzing the alkali metal compound in an ionic liquid to release the alkali metal in a zero oxidation state.

19 . The vapor cell of claim 18 , wherein the alkali metal in the zero oxidation state is electrodeposited onto a metallized surface of the vessel.

20 . The vapor cell of claim 18 , wherein the alkali metal in the zero oxidation state is evaporated from a filament into the vessel.