Click here to sign in with or
by National Research University Higher School of Economics
A team of researchers from HSE MIEM joined colleagues from the Institute of Non-Classical Chemistry in Leipzig to develop a theoretical model of a polymeric ionic liquid on a charged conductive electrode. They used approaches from polymer physics and theoretical electrochemistry to demonstrate the difference in the behavior of electrical differential capacitance of polymeric and ordinary ionic liquids for the first time. The results of the study were published in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics.
Polymerized ionic liquids (PIL) are a relatively new class of materials with increasing applications in various fields, from the development of new electrolytes to the creation of solar cells. Unlike ordinary room temperature ionic liquids (liquid organic salts in which cations and anions move freely), in PILs, cations are usually linked in long polymeric chains, while anions move freely. In recent years, PILs have been used (along with ordinary ionic liquids) as a filling in the production of supercapacitors.
Supercapacitors are devices that store energy in an electric double layer on the surface of an electrode (as in electrodes of platinum, gold and carbon, for example). Compared, for example, to an accumulator, supercapacitors accumulate more energy and do so faster. The amount of energy a supercapacitor is able to accumulate is known as its 'capacitance'.
The authors of the paper were the first to create a theoretical model of the behavior of capacitance in an electric double layer in PILs and their solutions on the interface with a charged electrode in supercapacitors.
The scholars also compared the PILs' capacitance with that of ordinary room temperature ionic liquids. The study resulted in a new analytical expression for capacitance under low voltage, which can be used in engineering calculations.
The authors looked at two model cases of interactions between polymerized ions with the surface of the electrode and found both quantitative and qualitative differences in capacitance behavior from that in ordinary ionic liquids. The researchers predict a huge increase in capacitance for PILs as compared to regular ionic liquids with the same chemical composition.
The study was the first to clarify how the presence of linked cations impacts the electrochemical properties of ionic liquid on a charged electrode.
They say that despite the fact that the developed model is a rather crude description of PILs on charged electrodes, even at this stage of theoretical development, the results can be useful in the development of new supercapacitors, fuel cells, accumulators and solid-state electrolytes.
Yury Budkov, MIEM HSE Professor, says that they "had assumed that the charged polymeric chains in polymeric ionic liquids would attract ions to a charged electrode much easier than in the case of ordinary ionic liquids, where ions are not linked. This, in turn, would have to lead to higher capacitances at the same voltages. After a rigorous calculation based on a combination of approaches from theoretical electrochemistry and polymer physics, we confirmed that our hypothesis was correct. We hope to get experimental proof soon." Explore further Capacitance of thin films containing polymerized ionic liquids More information: Yury A. Budkov et al, Electrochemistry meets polymer physics: polymerized ionic liquids on an electrified electrode, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (2021). DOI: 10.1039/D1CP04221A Journal information: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Provided by National Research University Higher School of Economics Citation: Chemists suggest using polymeric ionic liquids in supercapacitors (2022, March 11) retrieved 12 May 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-03-chemists-polymeric-ionic-liquids-supercapacitors.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.More from Physics Forums | Science Articles, Homework Help, Discussion
Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines).
Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request
Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors.
Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages.
Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form.
Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties.
Medical research advances and health news
The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances
The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web
This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.