Impact of Trifluoromethylation of Adiponitrile on Aluminum Dissolution Behavior in Dinitrile-Based Electrolytes

Aluminum dissolution behavior of adiponitrile (ADN) and its trifluoromethylated derivative 3-(trifluoromethyl)adiponitrile (ADN-CF3) as single or co-solvent with propylene carbonate (PC) was determined in electrolytes with lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) as conducting salt via selected electrochemical, spectroscopic and physicochemical methods. ADN-CF3 is introduced as a promising electrolyte solvent affording reduced aluminum dissolution in the presence of imide salts. In cases where neither electrolyte components nor decomposition products thereof enable the formation of protective surface layers on aluminum current collectors, both the viscosity and relative permittivity of the solvents could be identified as key parameters for reducing aluminum dissolution. High viscosities reduce the mobility of involved species yielding increased complex formation of Li+ and TFSI− ions or solvent molecules, hindering a reaction of TFSI− anions with the passivating aluminum oxide surface to Al(TFSI)x. Low relative permittivity yields lesser ionic dissociation of the lithium salt and lower solubility of Al(TFSI)x species in viscous electrolytes. Hence, reduced aluminum dissolution was observed by substituting electrolyte solvents from PC to ADN to ADN-CF3. The obtained results significantly contribute to better understanding of anodic aluminum dissolution behavior, while encouraging future design of advanced electrolytes with high viscosities and low-permittivity solvents that possess high oxidative stabilities

Electrolyte solvents for high voltage lithium ion batteries: ion correlation and specific anion effects in adiponitrile

We studied dynamic and structural properties of two lithium conducting salts in the aprotic organic solvent adiponitrile by a combination of atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, quantum chemical calculations, and experimental findings. The outcomes of our simulations reveal significant differences between both lithium salts, namely lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) at various concentrations, which can be mainly attributed to the solvation behavior of the individual anions. The increased tendency of ion complex formation for LiBF4 is reflected by lower values regarding the measured and computed effective ionic conductivities when compared to LiTFSI. All findings highlight the crucial importance of specific anion effects in combination with molecular details of solvation, and advocate the use of adiponitrile as a beneficial solvent in modern lithium ion battery technology with high voltage electrodes

SALUS-a non-inferiority trial to compare self-tonometry in glaucoma patients with regular inpatient intraocular pressure controls: study design and set-up

Oldiges K, Steinmann M, Düvel J, et al. SALUS-a non-inferiority trial to compare self-tonometry in glaucoma patients with regular inpatient intraocular pressure controls: study design and set-up. Graefes Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. 2022.PURPOSE: The SALUS study aims to improve the healthcare situation for glaucoma patients in Germany. In order to detect diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations, inpatient monitoring of IOP in an eye hospital for a minimum of 24h is the current standard. SALUS assesses the benefits of a new form of outpatient care, where IOP can be measured by the patients themselves at home using a self-tonometer. This approach should promote the patient's health competence and empowerment within the healthcare system while reducing treatment costs.; METHODS: The SALUS study is a randomized controlled, open non-inferiority trial, alongside an economic analysis, determining whether outpatient monitoring of IOP with self-tonometry is at least as effective as current standard care and would reduce treatment costs. Participants (n=1980) will be recruited by local ophthalmologists in the area of Westphalia-Lippe, Germany, and randomized to receive 7-day outpatient or 24-h inpatient monitoring. Participants in both study arms will also receive 24-h blood pressure monitoring. Furthermore, patient data from both study groups will be collected in an electronic case file (ECF), accessible to practitioners, hospitals, and the study participants. The primary endpoint is the percentage of patients with IOP peaks, defined as levels 30% above the patient-specific target pressure. Data will also be collected during initial and final examinations, and at 3, 6, and 9months after the initial examination.; RESULTS: The study implementation and trial management are represented below.; CONCLUSION: SALUS is a pioneering prospective clinical trial focused on the care of glaucoma patients in Germany. If SALUS is successful, it could improve the healthcare situation and health literacy of the patients through the introduction of various telemedical components. Furthermore, the approach would almost certainly reduce the treatment costs of glaucoma care.; TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04698876, registration date: 11/25/2020.; DRKS-ID: DRKS00023676, registration date: 11/26/2020. © 2022. The Author(s)