Ionic liquids as safe, energy-dense electrochemical fuels
Abstract
Commonly explored renewable fuels, such as hydrogen, ammonia, and formic acid, pose challenges due to either their low energy density or safety issues arising from volatility or corrosiveness. We are interested in developing a class of electrochemical fuel ionic liquids (EFILs) which can offer a safe and energy-dense method for storing renewable electricity in chemical bonds. The electrochemical behavior of ionic liquids is widely investigated as an electrolyte, with the desire to maximize stability of the ionic liquid while conducting desired reaction chemistry for synthesis or sensing. Here, we are interested in exploring ionic liquids as electrochemical fuels, a context in which the stability of the ionic liquid in a non-electrochemical environment is valued, but in which we seek to facilitate decomposition of the ionic liquid under polarization. Our efforts will lead to thermodynamic understanding of the decomposition of EFILs and generate catalysts which selectively decompose both the anionic and cationic constituent of EFILs. Our work will open up safe and sustainable EFILs that can be easily synthesized and act as carriers of renewable electricity in military applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502110194
Entities
People
- Karthish Manthiram
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- United States Air Force