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Updated: May 3, 2026

Synthesis of Ionic Liquid Based Electrolytes, Assembly of Li-ion Batteries, and Measurements of Performance at High Temperature
Published on: December 20, 2016
Ambient lithium-SO2 batteries with ionic liquids as electrolytes.
Huabin Xing1, Chen Liao, Qiwei Yang
1Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027 (China); Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831 (USA). xinghb@zju.edu.cn.
Novel ionic liquid electrolytes enable safer, high-energy ambient lithium-sulfur dioxide (Li-SO2) batteries by reversibly absorbing sulfur dioxide. This breakthrough enhances battery performance and safety for next-generation energy storage.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Lithium-sulfur dioxide (Li-SO2) batteries offer high energy density but suffer from safety concerns due to pressurized sulfur dioxide (SO2) and flammable organic electrolytes.
- Existing Li-SO2 battery designs face challenges related to SO2 management and electrolyte stability, limiting their practical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel ambient Li-SO2 battery system with improved safety and high energy density.
- To investigate the use of ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes with tailored basicities for effective SO2 solvation.
- To demonstrate the potential of reversible chemical absorption for next-generation ambient Li-SO2 battery technology.
Main Methods:
- Development of ionic liquid electrolytes with precisely controlled basicity.
- Integration of IL electrolytes into an ambient Li-SO2 battery configuration.
- Characterization of SO2 solvation mechanisms and electrochemical performance, including operating voltage and discharge characteristics.
Main Results:
- The novel IL electrolytes effectively solvated SO2 through reversible chemical absorption, mitigating safety risks.
- The developed ambient Li-SO2 batteries exhibited high energy density and good discharge performance.
- Operating voltages exceeding 2.8 V were achieved, demonstrating significant electrochemical potential.
Conclusions:
- Tailored ionic liquid electrolytes offer a viable strategy for enhancing the safety and performance of ambient Li-SO2 batteries.
- Reversible chemical absorption of SO2 in ILs is a key mechanism for enabling stable and high-energy-density operation.
- This approach paves the way for the development of advanced, safer Li-SO2 batteries for future energy storage applications.
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