Li+ cation environment, transport, and mechanical properties of the LiTFSI doped N-methyl-N-alkylpyrrolidinium+TFSI- ionic liquids

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed on N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (mppy(+)TFSI(-)) and N,N-dimethyl- pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (mmpy(+)TFSI(+)) ionic liquids (ILs) doped with 0.25 mol fraction LiTFSI salt at 303-500 K. The liquid density, ion self-diffusion coefficients, and conductivity predicted by MD simulations were found to be in good agreement with experimental data, where available. MD simulations reveal that the Li(+) environment is similar in mppy(+)TFSI(-) and mmpy(+)TFSI(+) ILs doped with LiTFSI. The Li(+) cations were found to be coordinated on average by slightly less than four oxygen atoms with each oxygen atom being contributed by a different TFSI(-) anion. Significant lithium aggregation by sharing up to three TFSI(-) anions bridging two lithiums was observed, particularly at lower temperatures where the lithium aggregates were found to be stable for tens of nanoseconds. Polarization of TFSI(-) anions is largely responsible for the formation of such lithium aggregates. Li(+) transport was found to occur primarily by exchange of TFSI(-) anions in the first coordination shell with a smaller (approximately 30%) contribution also due to Li(+) cations diffusing together with their first coordination shell. In both ILs, ion self-diffusion coefficients followed the order Li(+) < TFSI(-) < mmpy(+) or mppy(+) with all ion diffusion in mmpy(+)TFSI(-) being systematically slower than that in mppy(+)TFSI(-). Conductivity due to the Li(+) cation in LiTFSI doped mppy(+)TFSI(-) IL was found to be greater than that for a model poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO)/LiTFSI polymer electrolyte but significantly lower than that for an ethylene carbonate/LiTFSI liquid electrolyte. Finally, the time-dependent shear modulus for the LiTFSI doped ILs was found to be similar to that for a model poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO)/LiTFSI polymer electrolyte on the subnanosecond time scale.     

Development of many-body polarizable force fields for Li-battery applications: 2. LiTFSI-doped Oligoether, polyether, and carbonate-based electrolytes

A quantum chemistry study of Li(+) interactions with ethers, carbonates, alkanes, and a trifluoromethanesulfonylimide anion (TFSI(-)) was performed at the MP2, B3LYP, and HF levels using the aug-cc-pvDz basis set for solvents and TFSI(-) anion, and [8s4p3d/5s3p2d]-type basis set for Li. A classical many-polarizable force field was developed for the LiTFSI salt interacting with ethylene carbonate (EC), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), acetone, oligoethers, n-alkanes, and perfluoroalkanes. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed for EC/LiTFSI, PC/LiTFSI, GBL/LiTFSI, DMC/LiTFSI, 1,2-dimethoxyethane/LiTFSI, pentaglyme/LiTFSI, and poly(ethylene oxide) (MW = 2380)/LiTFSI electrolytes at temperatures from 298 to 423 K and salt concentrations from 0.3 to 5 M. The ion and solvent self-diffusion coefficients, electrolyte conductivity, electrolyte density, LiTFSI apparent molar volumes, and structure of the Li(+) cation environment predicted by MD simulations were found in good agreement with experimental data.     

Studies on the translational and rotational motions of ionic liquids composed of N-methyl-N-propyl-pyrrolidinium (P13) cation and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide and bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide anions and their binary systems including lithium salts

Room-temperature ionic liquids (RTIL, IL) are stable liquids composed of anions and cations. N-methyl-N-propyl-pyrrolidinium (P(13), Py(13), PYR(13), or mppy) is an important cation and produces stable ILs with various anions. In this study two amide-type anions, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide [N(SO(2)CF(3))(2), TFSA, TFSI, NTf(2), or Tf(2)N] and bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide [N(SO(2)F)(2), FSA, or FSI], were investigated. In addition to P(13)-TFSA and P(13)-FSA, lithium salt doped samples were prepared (P(13)-TFSA-Li and P(13)-FSA-Li). The individual ion diffusion coefficients (D) and spin-lattice relaxation times (T(1)) were measured by (1)H, (19)F, and (7)Li NMR. At the same time, the ionic conductivity (σ), viscosity (η), and density (ρ) were measured over a wide temperature range. The van der Waals volumes of P(13), TFSA, FSA, Li(TFSA)(2), and Li(FSA)(3) were estimated by molecular orbital calculations. The experimental values obtained in this study were analyzed by the classical Stokes-Einstein, Nernst-Einstein (NE), and Stokes-Einstein-Debye equations and Walden plots were also made for the neat and binary ILs to clarify physical and mobile properties of individual ions. From the temperature-dependent velocity correlation coefficients for neat P(13)-TFSA and P(13)-FSA, the NE parameter 1-ξ was evaluated. The ionicity (electrochemical molar conductivity divided by the NE conductivity from NMR) and the 1-ξ had exactly the same values. The rotational and translational motions of P(13) and jump of a lithium ion are also discussed.     

Structural characterization of a lanthanum bistriflimide complex, La(N(SO2CF3)2)3(H2O)3, and an investigation of La, Sm, and Eu electrochemistry in a room-temperature ionic liquid, [Me3N(n)Bu][N(SO2CF3)2

The reduction of selected lanthanide cations to the zerovalent state in the room-temperature ionic liquid [Me3N(n)Bu][TFSI] is reported (where TFSI = bistriflimide, [N(SO2CF3)2]-). The lanthanide cations were introduced to the melt as the TFSI hydrate complexes [Ln(TFSI)3(H2O)3] (where Ln = La(III), Sm(III) or Eu(III)). The lanthanum compound [La(TFSI)3(H2O)3] has been crystallographically characterized, revealing the first structurally characterized f-element TFSI complex. The lanthanide in all three complexes was shown to be reducible to the metallic state in [Me3N(n)Bu][TFSI]. For both the Eu and Sm complexes, reduction to the metallic state was achieved via divalent species, and there was an additional observation of the electrodeposition of Eu metal.     

离子液体凝胶聚合物电解质的三元组分相互作用研究

采用Raman光谱、傅里叶转换红外光谱和X-射线衍射光谱研究N-甲基-N-丙基哌啶双三氟甲磺酸亚胺离子液体（PP13TFSI）和双三氟甲磺酸亚胺锂盐（LiTFSI）对PVDF-HFP聚合物聚合方式的影响,结果表明,PP13TFSI、LiTFSI和PVDF-HFP是共混存在的,同时加入PP13TFSI和LiTFSI会使聚合物的聚合方式由晶体结构转变为无定形结构. 通过对电解质及其各组分的线性扫描伏安曲线和热重曲线分析可知,溶剂N-甲基吡咯烷酮（NMP）容易残留在凝胶聚合物电解质（ILGPE）中,这会降低ILGPE的电化学稳定性和热稳定性. 作者对固态LiFePO₄|ILGPE|Li电池的倍率性能进行了研究,实验结果表明其具有较好的倍率性能,当电池倍率由C/10增大至2C,然后再回到C/10时,其容量可以恢复到原来的90.9%左右. 该研究结果对理解PP13TFSI和LiTFSI在ILGPE中的作用机理具有重要的意义.     

Li1.5Al0.5Ge1.5(PO4)3基固体复合电解质的制备及锂离子导电行为

将聚氧化乙烯(PEO)和二(三氟甲基磺酰)亚胺锂(LiTFSI)混合(固定EO/Li摩尔比为13)后, 采用溶液浇注法制备了一系列不同Li_1.5Al_0.5Ge_1.5(PO₄)₃(LAGP)与PEO质量比的LAGP-PEO(LiTFSI)固体复合电解质体系. 结合电化学阻抗法、 表面形貌表征以及与惰性陶瓷填料(SiO₂, Al₂O₃) 性能的对比分析, 探讨了LAGP在固体复合电解质中的作用机理以及锂离子的导电行为. 结果表明, 在以LAGP为主相的固体复合电解质中, PEO主要处于无定形态, 整个体系主要为PEO与LiTFSI的络合相、 LAGP与PEO(LiTFSI)相互作用形成的过渡相和LAGP晶相. 其中LAGP作为主要的导电基体不仅起到降低PEO结晶度、 改善两相导电界面的作用; 同时自身也可以作为离子传输的通道, 降低锂离子迁移的活化能, 从而使离子电导率得到提高. 当LAGP与PEO的质量比为6:4时, 固体复合电解质的成膜性能最好, 离子电导率最高, 在30 ℃时为2.57×10^-5 S/cm, 接近LAGP的水平, 电化学稳定窗口超过5 V.     

Raman investigation of the ionic liquid N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and its mixture with LiN(SO2CF3)2

A preliminary Raman investigation of the ionic liquid N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PYR(13)TFSI) and its 2/1 complex with the lithium salt LiN(SO(2)CF(3))(2) is reported. The study was performed over a temperature range extending from -100 to +60 degrees C, i.e., with PYR(13)TFSI in the crystalline and melt states. For comparison purposes, the study was extended to PYR(13)I, which is the precursor used in the synthesis of PYR(13)TFSI.     

Physicochemical properties and structures of room-temperature ionic liquids. 3. Variation of cationic structures

A series of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) were prepared with different cationic structures, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium ([bmim]), 1-butylpyridinium ([bpy]), N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium, ([bmpro]), and N-butyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium ([(n-C(4)H(9))(CH(3))(3)N]) combined with an anion, bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide ([(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N]), and the thermal property, density, self-diffusion coefficients of the cation and anion, viscosity, and ionic conductivity were measured over a wide temperature range. The self-diffusion coefficient, viscosity, ionic conductivity, and molar conductivity follow the Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman equation for temperature dependencies, and the best-fit parameters have been estimated, together with the linear fitting parameters for the density. The relative cationic and anionic self-diffusion coefficients for the RTILs, independently determined by the pulsed-field-gradient spin-echo NMR method, appear to be influenced by the shape of the cationic structure. A definite order of the summation of the cationic and anionic diffusion coefficients for the RTILs: [bmim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [bpy][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [bmpro][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [(n-C(4)H(9))(CH(3))(3)N][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N], has been observed, which coincides with the reverse order to the viscosity data. The ratio of molar conductivity obtained from the impedance measurements to that calculated by the ionic diffusivity using the Nernst-Einstein equation quantifies the active ions contributing to ionic conduction in the diffusion components and follows the order: [bmpro][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [(n-C(4)H(9))(CH(3))(3)N][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [bpy][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [bmim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] at 30 degrees C.     

Dynamics of solvent and rotational relaxation of Coumarin 153 in a room temperature ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octyl sulfate, forming micellar structure

The solvent and rotational relaxation of Coumarin 153 (C-153) was investigated by picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy in a room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octyl sulfate ([C4mim][C8SO4]). This is a typical RTIL, which form micellar structure above certain concentration of the RTIL (0.031 M). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements show that the average hydrodynamic diameter ( Dh) of a [C4mim][C8SO4]-water micelle is 2.8 (+/-0.2) nm. Both the solvent and rotational relaxation of C-153 are retarded in this micelle compared to the solvation time of a similar type of dye in neat water. However, the solvent relaxation in this ionic liquid surfactant is different from that of a conventional ionic surfactant. The slow component of the solvation dynamics in C8H17SO4Na or TX-100 micelle is on the nanoseconds time scale, whereas in [C4mim][C8SO4] micelle the same component is on the subnanoseconds time scale. The different molecular motions with different time scale is the main reason behind this difference in the solvation time in micelles composed of RTIL with other conventional micelles.     

Cyclic voltammetry of Th(IV) in the room-temperature ionic liquid [Me3NnBu][N(SO2CF3)2

A Th(IV) compound, [Th(TFSI)4(HTFSI)].2H2O [where TFSI = N(SO2CF3)2], has been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and vibrational spectroscopy. The analysis suggests that the TFSI anion coordinates to the metal center via the sulfonyl oxygens as well as provides evidence for the coordination of HTFSI. The voltammetric behavior of this compound has been studied in the room-temperature ionic liquid [Me3NnBu][TFSI], and results show that Th(IV) is reduced to Th(0) in this ionic liquid in a single reduction step. Analysis of cyclic voltammograms shows that an insoluble product is being formed at the electrode surface, which is attributed to the formation of ThO2 by reaction with water. The E0 value for the reduction of Th(IV) to Th(0) has been determined to be -2.20 V (vs Fc+/Fc; -1.80 V vs SHE). A comparison of this E0 value with those obtained for Th(IV) reduction in a LiCl-KCl eutectic (400 degrees C), water, and nonaqueous solvents shows that the reduction in [Me3NnBu][TFSI] is easier to accomplish than that in these other solvents.     

Physicochemical properties of imidazolium-derived ionic liquids with different C-2 substitutions

Five room temperature ionic liquids based on C-2 substituted imidazolium cations and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI) anions were synthesized and their physicochemical properties: thermal property, density, viscosity, ionic conductivity, self-diffusion coefficients, and electrochemical stability, were systematically investigated. The temperature dependence of both viscosity and ionic conductivities of these ionic liquids can be described by the Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman (VFT) equation. Compared with the reference, 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, the introduction of functional groups at the C-2 position generally increased the viscosity and lowered the ionic conductivity. The introduction of an ether group (-CH(2)OCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)CH(3)) at the C-2 position not only enhanced the reduction stability of the ionic liquids but also exhibited the lowest solid electrolyte interfacial resistance (R(SEI)). In contrast, the introduction of a cyano group (-CN) at the C-2 position not only decreased the reduction stability but also adversely increased the SEI resistance. The effect of the C-2 substitution on the reduction stability was explained by the change in the energy level of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. The self-diffusion coefficients (D) of each ion were measured by pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG-NMR). The lithium transference number (t(Li)) of 0.5 M LiTFSI/IL solutions calculated from the self-diffusion coefficients was in the range of 0.04 to 0.09.     

NMR investigation of ionic liquid-LiX mixtures: pyrrolidinium cations and TFSI- anions

In this paper is reported an extensive NMR characterization of N-methyl-N-propyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PYR13TFSI) room-temperature ionic liquid and its mixtures with LiTFSI. NMR was used to investigate the interactions between the ionic liquid and lithium salt and the diffusion coefficients of all ionic species present in these mixtures. The results are compared with previous DSC, Raman, and electrochemical investigations.     

A comparison of ether- and alkyl-derivatized imidazolium-based room-temperature ionic liquids: a molecular dynamics simulation study

Molecular dynamics simulations of ether-derivatized imidazolium-based room-temperature ionic liquids (EDI-RTILs), [C(5)O(2)mim][TFSI] and [C(5)O(2)mim][BF(4)], have been performed and compared with simulations of alkyl-derivatized analogues (ADI-RTILs). Simulations yield RTIL densities, self-diffusion coefficients and viscosity in excellent agreement with experimental data. Simulations reveal that structure in the EDI-RTILs, quantified by the extent of nanoscale segregation of tails as well as cation-ion and cation-cation correlations, is reduced compared to that observed in the ADI-RTILs. Significant correlation between ether tail oxygen atoms and imidazolium ring hydrogen atoms was observed in the EDI-RTILs. This correlation is primarily intramolecular in origin but has a significant intermolecular component. Competition of ether oxygen atoms with oxygen atoms of TFSI(-) or fluorine atoms of BF(4)(-) for coordination of the ring hydrogen atoms was found to reduce the extent of cation-anion correlation in the EDI-RTILs compared to the ADI-RTILs. The reduction in intermolecular correlation, particularly tail-tail segregation, as well as weakening of cation-anion specific interactions due to the ether tail, may account for the faster dynamics observed in the EDI-RTILs compared to ADI-RTILs.     

Europium(III) and its halides in anhydrous room-temperature imidazolium-based ionic liquids: a combined TRES, EXAFS, and molecular dynamics study

Combining spectroscopic techniques (TRES and EXAFS) and molecular dynamics simulations, we have investigated the state of trivalent europium dissolved in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), as a function of the RTIL anion and in the presence of added chloride anions. The studied RTILs are based on the 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium (Bumim+) cation and differ by their anionic counterparts: BF4-, PF6-, Tf- (triflate, CF3SO3-), and Tf2N- [(CF3SO2)2N-]. The results show the strong influence of the RTIL nature on the first solvation shell of europium and on its complexation with chloride. Depending on the RTIL, europium(III), which was introduced in solution as a triflate salt, is found to be solvated either by RTIL anions only or as neutral undissociated EuTf3 moieties completed by solvent anions. Kinetic effects, related to the viscosity of the RTIL and the nature of the europium salt, also markedly influence the coordination of added Cl- or F- anions to the metal.     

Physicochemical properties and structures of room temperature ionic liquids. 2. Variation of alkyl chain length in imidazolium cation

The alkyl chain length of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide ([Rmim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N], R = methyl (m), ethyl (e), butyl (b), hexyl (C(6)), and octyl (C(8))) was varied to prepare a series of room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), and the thermal behavior, density, viscosity, self-diffusion coefficients of the cation and anion, and ionic conductivity were measured over a wide temperature range. The self-diffusion coefficient, viscosity, ionic conductivity, and molar conductivity change with temperature following the Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman equation, and the density shows a linear decrease. The pulsed-field-gradient spin-echo NMR method reveals a higher self-diffusion coefficient for the cation compared to that for the anion over a wide temperature range, even if the cationic radius is larger than that of the anion. The summation of the cationic and anionic diffusion coefficients for the RTILs follows the order [emim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [mmim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [bmim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [C(6)mim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N] > [C(8)mim][(CF(3)SO(2))(2)N], which greatly contrasts to the viscosity data. The ratio of molar conductivity obtained from impedance measurements to that calculated by the ionic diffusivity using the Nernst-Einstein equation quantifies the active ions contributing to ionic conduction in the diffusion components, in other words, ionicity of the ionic liquids. The ratio decreases with increasing number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. Finally, a balance between the electrostatic and induction forces has been discussed in terms of the main contribution factor in determining the physicochemical properties.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of the ionic liquid N-ethyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)ammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide

Thermodynamics, structure, and dynamics of an ionic liquid based on a quaternary ammonium salt with ether side chain, namely, N-ethyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)ammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, MOENM2E TFSI, are investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Average density and configurational energy of simulated MOENM2E TFSI are interpreted with models that take into account empirical ionic volumes. A throughout comparison of the equilibrium structure of MOENM2E TFSI with previous results for the more common ionic liquids based on imidazolium cations is provided. Several time correlation functions are used to reveal the microscopic dynamics of MOENM2E TFSI. Structural relaxation is discussed by the calculation of simultaneous space-time correlation functions. Temperature effects on transport coefficients (diffusion, conductivity, and viscosity) are investigated. The ratio between the actual conductivity and the estimate from ionic diffusion by the Nernst-Einstein equation indicates that correlated motion of neighboring ions in MOENM2E TFSI is similar to imidazolium ionic liquids. In line with experiment, Walden plot of conductivity and viscosity indicates that simulated MOENM2E TFSI should be classified as a poor ionic liquid.     

Ester Modified Pyrrolidinium Based Ionic Liquids as Electrolyte Component Candidates in Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), especially pyrrolidinium based RTILs with bis(trifluoromethane‐sulfonyl)imide (TFSI) as counterion, are frequently proposed as promising electrolyte component candidates thanks to their high thermal as well as high oxidation stability. In order to avoid a resource intensive experimental approach, mainly based on trial and error experiments, a computational screening method for pre‐selecting suitable candidate molecules was adopted and three homologous series compounds were synthesized by modifying the cation structure of pyrrolidinium RTILs. The obtained high purity RTILs: methyl‐methylcarboxymethyl pyrrolidinium TFSI (MMMPyrTFSI), methyl‐ethylcarboxymethyl pyrrolidinium TFSI (MEMPyrTFSI) and methylpropylcarboxymethyl pyrrolidinium TFSI (MPMPyrTFSI) revealed excellent thermal stabilities higher than 300 °C. Furthermore, MMMPyrTFSI and MPMPyrTFSI exhibit high oxidation stability up to 5.4 V vs. Li/Li⁺. No aluminum corrosion of current collector was observed at 5 V vs. Li/Li⁺. In addition to that, these RTILs display a superior salt (LiTFSI) solubility (3.0–3.5 M), compared to the unmodified RTIL 1‐butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium TFSI (Pyr₁₄TFSI) (1.5–2.0 M) at room temperature. All these properties make novel ester modified RTILs promising and interesting candidates for application in rechargeable lithium batteries.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies on the rotational and translational motions of ionic liquids composed of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium cation and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide and bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide anions and their binary systems including lithium salts

Room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) are stable liquids composed of anions and cations. 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium (EMIm, EMI) is a popular and important cation that produces thermally stable ILs with various anions. In this study two amide-type anions, bis(trifluoro-methanesulfonyl)amide [N(SO(2)CF(3))(2), TFSA, TFSI, NTf(2), or Tf(2)N] and bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide [(N(SO(2)F)(2), FSA, or FSI] were investigated by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. In addition to EMIm-TFSA and EMIm-FSA, lithium-salt-doped binary systems were prepared (EMIm-TFSA-Li and EMIm-FSA-Li). The spin-lattice relaxation times (T(1)) were measured by (1)H, (19)F, and (7)Li NMR spectroscopy and the correlation times of (1)H NMR, τ(c)(EMIm) (8 × 10(-10) to 3 × 10(-11) s) for the librational molecular motion of EMIm and those of (7)Li NMR, τ(c)(Li) (5 × 10(-9) to 2 × 10(-10) s) for a lithium jump were evaluated in the temperature range between 253 and 353 K. We found that the bulk viscosity (η) versus τ(c)(EMIm) and cation diffusion coefficient D(EMIm) versus the rate 1/τ(c)(EMIm) have good relationships. Similarly, linear relations were obtained for the η versus τ(c)(Li) and the lithium diffusion coefficient D(Li) versus the rate 1∕τ(c)(Li). The mean one-jump distances of Li were calculated from τ(c)(Li) and D(Li). The experimental values for the diffusion coefficients, ionic conductivity, viscosity, and density in our previous paper were analyzed by the Stokes-Einstein, Nernst-Einstein, and Stokes-Einstein-Debye equations for the neat and binary ILs to clarify the physicochemical properties and mobility of individual ions. The deviations from the classical equations are discussed.     

Spectroscopic and DFT studies to understand the liquid formation mechanism in the LiTFSI/acetamide complex system

It is interesting that although both lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfone) imide (LiN(SO2CF3)2, LiTFSI) and acetamide (CH3CONH2) are solid, their mixture is a liquid in an appropriate molar ratio range at room temperature. The liquid formation mechanism of the LiTFSI/acetamide complex has been investigated by FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy. The spectroscopic studies show that the Li+ ions coordinate with the C=O group of acetamide whereas the SO2 group in TFSI- anions interacts with the NH2 group of acetamide via hydrogen bonding. These interactions lead to the breakage of the hydrogen bonds between acetamide molecules and to the dissociation of LiTFSI, resulting in the formation of this molten salt. Furthermore, it has been found that moderate interaction between LiX and RCONH2 (R = -NH2, -CH3 and -CF3) is favorable for forming a LiX/RCONH2 molten salt system with low eutectic temperature and high conductivity based on density functional theory (DFT) calculational and experimental comparison for different R groups in RCONH2 and different lithium salts.     

Cation-anion interactions in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate-based ionic liquid electrolytes

An important step in developing ionic-liquid-based electrolytes for lithium rechargeable batteries is obtaining a molecular-level understanding of the ionic interactions that occur in these systems. In this study, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethansulfonate ([C2mim]CF3SO3) is complexed with LiCF3SO3, and the local structures of the CF3SO3- and [C2mim]+ ions are investigated with infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The isolation and subsequent refinement of a Li[C2mim](CF3SO3)2 crystal provides further insight into the structure of the [C2mim]CF3SO3-LiCF3SO3 solutions. Minor changes are observed in the infrared and Raman spectra of dilute [C2mim]CF3SO3-LiCF3SO3 solutions compared to pure [C2mim]CF3SO3. However, a suspension of very small Li[C2mim](CF3SO3)2 crystallites forms at a solution composition of [C2mim]CF3SO3:LiCF3SO3 = 10:1 (mole ratio), placing an upper limit on the solubility of LiCF3SO3. Essentially no changes are observed in the vibrational modes of the [C2mim]+ cations over the entire range of LiCF3SO3 compositions studied, suggesting that the addition of these compounds does not significantly perturb the local structure of the [C2mim]+ cations. The salt used in this study has a common anion with the ionic liquid; thus, the ion cloud surrounding the [C2mim]+ ions, which must be primarily composed of CF3SO3- anions, is not significantly altered with the addition of LiCF3SO3.