Issue 38, 2021

Solvate electrolytes for Li and Na batteries: structures, transport properties, and electrochemistry

Abstract

Polar solvents dissolve Li and Na salts at high concentrations and are used as electrolyte solutions for batteries. The solvents interact strongly with the alkali metal cations to form complexes in the solution. The activity (concentration) of the uncoordinated solvent decreases as the salt concentration is increased. At extremely high salt concentrations, all the solvent molecules are involved in the coordination of the ions and form the solvates of the salts. In this article, we review the structures, transport properties, and electrochemistry of Li/Na salt solvates. In molten solvates, the activity of the uncoordinated solvent is negligible; this is the main origin of their peculiar characteristics, such as high thermal stability, wide electrochemical window, and unique ion transport. In addition, the solvent activity greatly influences the electrochemical reactions in Li/Na batteries. We highlight the attractive features of molten solvates as promising electrolytes for next-generation batteries.

Graphical abstract: Solvate electrolytes for Li and Na batteries: structures, transport properties, and electrochemistry

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
29 6 2021
Accepted
15 9 2021
First published
15 9 2021
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2021,23, 21419-21436

Solvate electrolytes for Li and Na batteries: structures, transport properties, and electrochemistry

Y. Ugata, K. Shigenobu, R. Tatara, K. Ueno, M. Watanabe and K. Dokko, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2021, 23, 21419 DOI: 10.1039/D1CP02946K

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