Ionic Liquid Enhancement of Polymer Electrolyte Conductivity and their Effects on the Performance of Electrochemical Devices

Abstract

Ionic liquids (ILs) are molten salts at ambient temperature and consist of poorly coordinating cations and anions. They have good electrical conductivity with a wide voltage window and high thermal stability, but negligible vapor pressure. ILs can enhance ionic conductivity when added to polymer electrolytes. Conductivity enhancement is due to the additional ions supplied by the IL, the plasticizing nature of the IL and the low viscosity that facilitates ion mobility. The plasticizing nature of ILs softens the polymer chain giving rise to easier polymer segmental motion. Increase in polymer segmental motion implies that IL can increase amorphousness of a polymer electrolyte (PE). This article discusses the involvement of ionic liquid as electrolytes in selected devices, namely dye sensitized photovoltaics, batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors.

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“…Due to the disadvantages of nonrenewable energy, the search for renewable energy sources has become apparent among researchers and manufacturers. One of the renewable energy sources to produce from renewable resource-based jatropha oil (nonedible plant oil) is one of the suitable candidates for the synthesis of a sustainable polymer electrolyte. − …”

Ionic Liquids Roles and Perspectives in Electrolyte for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

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Ionic liquid effect for efficiency improvement in poly(methyl acrylate)/poly(vinyl acetate)-based dye-sensitized solar cells

“…The roles of ionic liquid as conductivity enhancer include plasticization effect and charge carrier provider. 5,34 –37 However, the present study suggests that conductivity enhancement cannot be attributed to the plasticization effect of BMII, as T g is observed to increase upon the incorporation of BMII (cf. Figure 3).…”