Because of their potentially superior thermal stability and safety compared to conventional organic electrolytes, room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have been studied by many research groups. A novel RTIL composed of 5-cyanotetrazolide anion and N-butyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidinium cation with lithium bis(oxalato)borate conduction salt is tested in lithium metal electrochemical cells. Plating-stripping results in symmetric cells affirm the electrolyte’s ability to reversibly transport lithium ions from one electrode to the other. Overpotentials calculated from the plating-stripping tests suggest an optimal salt concentration of 1 mol kg-1. Simplified symmetrical cell tests give lithium ion transference number (tLi) estimates. The highest is attributed to the 0.1 mol kg-1 electrolyte, and the results suggest the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) from the decomposition products of the electrolyte. Based on these results, the RTIL exhibits interesting characteristics for lithium-ion batteries.

Characterization of novel cyano-based room temperature ionic liquid electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries

249th National Meeting (2015)

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