Physicochemical compatibility of highly-concentrated solvate ionic liquids and a low-viscosity solvent

Abstract

High ionic carrier mobilities are important for the electrolyte solutions used in high-performance batteries. Based on the functional sharing concept, we fabricated mixed electrolytes consisting of solvate ionic liquids (SIL), which are highly concentrated solution electrolyte, and the non-coordinating low-viscosity dilution solvent 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (HFE). We investigated the thermal, transport, and static properties of electrolytes with different ratios of SIL to HFE. In particular, the interactions between the SILs and HFE and static correlations of the coordinating (ether-based molecules), non-coordinating (HFE), and carrier ionic species (lithium salt) were clarified by applying the excess density concept. Ether molecules always formed strong complexes with lithium cations regardless of the absence or presence of HFE. The repulsion force between the SILs and HFE was strongly affected by lithium salt concentration. From our results, we proposed dissociation/association models for these electrolyte systems.