(296f) Mixed Hydrophobic Room Temperature Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Rechargeable Lithium-Air Battery

The increase in solution resistance due to the evaporation and decomposition of carbonate based electrolyte especially at high charge voltages hinders the performance (cyclability) of Lithium –Air battery. Hydrophobic room temperature ionic liquid can be used to increase the cycle numbers of lithium-air battery by eliminating the decomposition of electrolyte as well as protecting the lithium anode from hydrolysis reaction with moisture from air. Pyrrolidinium based ionic liquid N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium   bis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (PYR₁₄TFSI) shows a wide electrochemical voltage stability window.  But it has high viscosity and consequently lower conductivity than standard organic electrolyte. Therefore, the mixed ionic liquid that simultaneously has the properties of high ionic conductivity and high electrochemical voltage window for battery application has been investigated. Imidazolium based ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-1-methylimidazolium bis (trifluormethylsulfonyl) imide (EMIMTFSI) has lower viscosity and higher ionic conductivity than PYR₁₄TFSI. This study will investigate the addition of different proportions of EMIMTFSI to PYR₁₄TFSI for higher ionic conductivity as well as high electrochemical voltage stability. Optimum mixture of the ionic liquids will be studied for the long term cyclic performances of lithium-air battery. Different concentrations of lithium salt (Lithium bis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI)) to the optimum mixture will be examined for the best performance of lithium-air battery. The optimum ionic liquid electrolyte will be used in conjunction with perovskite type bifunctional catalyst for enhanced capacity and rechargeability of lithium-air battery.