Investigation of the effect of electron irradiation on ionic liquid (IL) droplets using electron holography revealed that electron irradiation changed the electrostatic potential around the IL. The potential for low electron flux irradiation (0.5 × 10(17)e/m(2)s) was almost constant as a function of time (up to 180 min). For higher electron flux irradiation (2 × 10(17)e/m(2)s), the potential increased exponentially for a certain time, reflecting the charging effect and then leveled off. The IL was found to be changed from liquid to solid state after a significant increase in the electrostatic potential due to electron irradiation.
Keywords: Charge; Electron holography; Electron irradiation; Electrostatic potential; Ionic liquid.
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