Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Synthesis of Ionic Liquid Based Electrolytes, Assembly of Li-ion Batteries, and Measurements of Performance at High Temperature
Published on: December 20, 2016
Small-Molecule Additives Enhance Electric Double-Layer Performance in Ionic Liquids: Boosting Both Capacitance and
Chenmiao Zhao1,2, Boning Wu1, Tao Yang1
1State Key Laboratory of Chemical Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China.
Abstract:
The demand for high-performance energy storage devices in renewable energy systems has spotlighted supercapacitors, with ionic liquids (ILs) emerging as promising electrolytes for this application. However, the full potential of supercapacitors is constrained by an inherent trade-off: as capacitance increases, the charging rate usually decreases. To address this issue, we introduce an approach by incorporating trace small-molecule additives into ILs, which simultaneously boost capacitance and accelerate charging dynamics. Using nanosecond time-resolved chronoamperometry, we directly probe electric double-layer (EDL) formation in mixtures of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ILs with water, acetonitrile, or toluene. Our results reveal up to a 16-fold capacitance enhancement and a 4-fold reduction in charging time constants. This discovery benefits the development of next-generation supercapacitors with ultrafast charging capabilities and high-density energy storage.
Related Concept Videos
The Electrical Double Layer
Ionic Strength: Effects on Chemical Equilibria
In this solution, the primary cation—the calcium...
Theory of Strong Electrolytes
Ionic Association
Ionic Bonding and Electron Transfer
Ionic Strength: Overview

