A Self-Binding, Melt-Castable, Crystalline Organic Electrolyte for Sodium Ion Conduction

Parameswara Rao Chinnam; Birane Fall; Dmitriy A Dikin; AbdelAziz Jalil; Clifton R Hamilton; Stephanie L Wunder; Michael J Zdilla

doi:10.1002/anie.201606363

A Self-Binding, Melt-Castable, Crystalline Organic Electrolyte for Sodium Ion Conduction

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2016 Dec 5;55(49):15254-15257. doi: 10.1002/anie.201606363. Epub 2016 Nov 9.

Authors

Parameswara Rao Chinnam¹, Birane Fall¹, Dmitriy A Dikin², AbdelAziz Jalil¹, Clifton R Hamilton¹, Stephanie L Wunder¹, Michael J Zdilla¹

Affiliations

¹ Department Of Chemistry, Temple University, 1901 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA.
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Temple University, 1947 N. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA.

PMID: 27862746
DOI: 10.1002/anie.201606363

Abstract

The preparation and characterization of the cocrystalline solid-organic sodium ion electrolyte NaClO₄ (DMF)₃ (DMF=dimethylformamide) is described. The crystal structure of NaClO₄ (DMF)₃ reveals parallel channels of Na⁺ and ClO₄^- ions. Pressed pellets of microcrystalline NaClO₄ (DMF)₃ exhibit a conductivity of 3×10^-4 S cm^-1 at room temperature with a low activation barrier to conduction of 25 kJ mol^-1 . SEM revealed thin liquid interfacial contacts between crystalline grains, which promote conductivity. The material melts gradually between 55-65 °C, but does not decompose, and upon cooling, it resolidifies as solid NaClO₄ (DMF)₃ , permitting melt casting of the electrolyte into thin films and the fabrication of cells in the liquid state and ensuring penetration of the electrolyte between the electrode active particles.

Keywords: cocrystals; electrochemistry; sodium-ion batteries; solid electrolytes.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't