Dicationic Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Non-Flammable High Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage and conversion devices, such as lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells, face challenges with flammability, low ionic conductivity, and low ion-transference number of their electrolytes.
Innovation Solution
Development of non-flammable dicationic ionic liquid electrolytes with high ionic conductivity (>0.01 S·cm−1) and high ion transference number (>0.5), utilizing viologen salts with specific alkyl and alkoxy terminations, and synthesized via Zincke reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing electrolytes are used, then the devices function, but the ionic conductivity remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the ionic conductivity parameter by optimizing the viologen salt structure with specific alkyl chain lengths (n=3-10) and substituent groups (Ra, Rb) while simultaneously achieving non-flammability through the dicationic structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops composite ionic liquids combining dicationic viologen cations with various anions to create a material system that achieves both high ionic conductivity (>0.01 S·cm−1) and non-flammability
2Manufacturing precision
If multi-charged ionic liquids are synthesized via quaternization SN2 Menshutkin reactions, then the desired cation structure is obtained, but the synthesis process requires multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-synthesizing the dicationic viologen salts with the desired core structure and substituent groups (Ra, Rb) before the final metathesis reaction, allowing for better control over the final electrolyte properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the synthesis into two independent parts: (1) synthesis of dicationic viologen salts with specific structures, and (2) metathesis with various anions, allowing for modular preparation and purification
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are non-flammable dicationic ionic liquid electrolytes and the synthesis thereof. The electrolytes exhibit extremely high ionic-conductivities >0.01 S·cm−1. Also described are the use of non-flammable dicationic ionic liquid electrolytes in various energy storage devices such as lithium-ion batteries, rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, super capacitors, or solar cells.