Electroactive Ionic Liquids with Redox Groups
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for new electro-active ionic liquids that are easily accessible and whose properties can be tailored for specific applications, particularly in fields like optoelectronics and electrochemical energy storage, where existing redox active polymers have not been adequately synthesized or investigated.
Innovation Solution
Development of ionic liquids containing an imidazolium/quaternary ammonium based cation and a negatively charged counter-ion, incorporating reducible and metallocene oxidizable groups, which exhibit electro-active properties, enabling electron exchange and ion acceptance/release for electrical neutrality, suitable for multifunctional devices and hybrid energy storage systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redox active polymers are synthesized using conventional methods, then polymer structures are obtained, but electrochemical capacities and ease of access are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter from polymer to ionic liquid, while incorporating redox-active functional groups (ferrocene, viologen, anthraquinone) directly into the ionic liquid structure. This allows the ionic liquid to exhibit both electrochemical activity and redox functionality without requiring complex polymer synthesis, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining electrochemical capacities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining ionic liquid cations with redox-active functional groups and negatively charged counter-ions. This composite approach integrates the advantages of ionic liquids (low viscosity, high conductivity) with redox-active materials, achieving enhanced electrochemical capacities while simplifying the overall material system
2Adaptability or versatility
If ionic liquids are designed with multiple functional groups for tailored properties, then versatility is improved, but synthesis complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ionic liquid structure into distinct functional modules: a cationic core (imidazolium or quaternary ammonium), redox-active functional groups (ferrocene, viologen, or anthraquinone), and negatively charged counter-ions. This modular segmentation allows independent selection and combination of functional groups to tailor properties for specific applications without complicating the overall synthesis approach
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs universal ionic liquid platforms where the same cationic core can accommodate multiple types of redox-active functional groups and different counter-ions. This universality enables a single synthetic route to produce multiple variants with tailored properties, improving versatility while avoiding the need for complex, application-specific synthesis procedures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The electro-active ionic liquids display enhanced electrochemical capacities, electrochromic properties, and are suitable for applications in optoelectronics and energy storage, combining the properties of supercapacitors and organic batteries, offering a versatile and efficient solution for various technical fields.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating reducible and metallocene oxidizable groups, which exhibit electro-active properties, enabling electron exchange and ion acceptance/release for electrical neutrality
Implementation Method 2
The electro-active ionic liquids display enhanced electrochemical capacities, electrochromic properties, and are suitable for applications in optoelectronics and energy storage
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates an electro-active polymeric ionic liquid including imidazolium-based molecules, said imidazolium-based molecule comprising each at least: —one imidazolium moiety associated with a negatively-charged counter-ion, and —one reducible group selected from: Formula (IV), —an anthraquinone derivative of formula (IV): with R1 representing a hydrogen atom or a C1-C6-alkyl group, —a viologen group, and —a metallocene reducible group such as a cobaltocene group.