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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Synthesis of Ionic Liquid Based Electrolytes, Assembly of Li-ion Batteries, and Measurements of Performance at High Temperature
Published on: December 20, 2016
Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Extreme Temperature Conditions: Challenges and Perspective
En Xie1, Chengdong Liu1, Xinghao Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology For Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, P. R. China.
Ionic liquid electrolytes (ILEs) offer safer, wider-temperature operation for energy storage than conventional options. This review guides the molecular design of advanced ILEs for high-performance, stable batteries across extreme temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Electrochemical energy storage demands electrolytes for extreme temperatures.
- Conventional electrolytes (carbonate-, ether-based) degrade and pose safety risks at extreme temperatures.
- Ionic liquid electrolytes (ILEs) are nonflammable and stable but face challenges in wide-temperature performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the impact of temperature on ionic liquid electrolyte properties and performance.
- To identify challenges and recent advances in developing wide-temperature ionic liquid electrolytes.
- To provide a framework for designing next-generation ionic liquid electrolytes for high-safety, high-energy-density batteries.
Main Methods:
- Systematic elucidation of temperature effects on molecular configurations, physicochemical properties, and interfacial chemistry of ILEs.
- Delineation of challenges in low- and high-temperature ILE operation.
- Examination of molecular design and co-solvent strategies for improved wide-temperature performance.
- Analysis of interfacial chemistry and electrode compatibility in ILE-based systems.
Main Results:
- Temperature significantly influences ILE molecular structure, physicochemical properties, and interfacial behavior.
- Molecular design and co-solvent strategies show promise in enhancing wide-temperature performance.
- Interfacial chemistry and electrode compatibility are critical for interphase stability and battery durability.
- A unified framework correlating ILE structure with temperature-dependent performance is presented.
Conclusions:
- Ionic liquid electrolytes are crucial for safe, high-performance energy storage across wide temperature ranges.
- Rational molecular design and understanding interfacial phenomena are key to overcoming current limitations.
- This review provides essential guidance for developing advanced ionic liquid electrolytes for next-generation batteries.
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