The new ionic additives for safer and durable electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries

AUTOR(I) / AUTHOR(S): Snežana M. Papović, Teona Teodora V. Borović, Gorana Mrđan, Maria Enrica di Pietro

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DOI:  10.46793/ICCBIKG25.136P

SAŽETAK / ABSTRACT:

The development of high-energy density, safe and affordable energy storage devices is crucial for the energy transition. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) currently dominate the global energy storage market, but their safety, cost, and environmental impact are significant concerns. The highly flammable and toxic state-of-the-art electrolytes used in LIBs are a major concern, as they can pose a risk to both people and the environment. The safety issues associated with LIBs are closely linked to their high energy density as well the use of volatile and flammable organic- solvent-based electrolytes. As such, improving the thermal stability of electrolytes and enhancing the safety of LIBs is a key priority for our research.

To address this challenge, we are developing electrolytes that can perform multiple functions simultaneously, including stabilizing electrode materials. In this context, we conducted a comprehensive study involving physicochemical, thermal, and electrochemical testing to evaluate the stability of an electrolyte containing newly synthesized zwitterionic compounds as additives. The use of electrolyte additives could be a cost-effective and efficient approach to improve the safety of LIBs. In this work we synthetized a series of zwitterion analogs: 1- propylsulfonate-3-alkylimidazole and 1-butylsulfonate-3-alkylimidazole (where alkyl stands for methyl, ethyl or vinyl).

Our study utilized 1.0 M LiPF₆ in a 50/50 mixture of ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate (EC/DMC) as our battery-grade electrolyte solution. We compared physico-chemical, thermochamical as well electrochemical performances of the electrolyte with 1% additives in the electrolyte and commercially used electrolytes, to assess their effectiveness. The growing complexity of modern LIB chemistries, including high-voltage cathodes and graphite-based anodes, has necessitated the development of next-generation additives capable of meeting more demanding electrochemical environments.

KLJUČNE REČI / KEYWORDS:

lithium-ion batteries, electrolytes, additives

PROJEKAT / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

This research is funded by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, GRANT No 11036, The new ionic additives for safer and durable electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries – SafeLi and by the Executive Programme for scientific and technological collaboration Serbia – Italy.

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