LITHIUM SALTS OF FLUORINATED BORATE ESTERS FOR LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

Lithium salts with fluorinated chelated orthoborate anions are prepared and used as electrolytes or electrolyte additives in lithium-ion batteries. The lithium salts have two chelate rings formed by the coordination of two bidentate ligands to a single boron atom. In addition, each chelate ring has two oxygen atoms bonded to one boron atom, methylene groups bonded to the two oxygen atoms, and one or more fluorinated carbon atoms bonded to and forming a cyclic bridge between the methylene groups

Solid polymer electrolytes from lithium (perfluorovinylether) sulfonate - Derived salts dissolved in high-molecular-weight poly(ethylene oxide)

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) were prepared using new lithium salts derived from a lithium (perfluorovinylether)sulfonate (CF2=CFOCF2CF2SO3Li) coupled to either a partially fluorinated alcohol (monolithium series) or a partially fluorinated diol (dilithium series). High-molecular-weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was used as the polymeric host. SPE characterization was accomplished using modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Ionic conductivities for SPEs made using the new salts, and also using lithium triflate (LiTf) and lithium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide (LiTFSI) as controls, were measured over a temperature range between 120 °C and room temperature for materials with an ethylene oxide to lithium (EO/Li) ratio of 30-1. Conductivities varied depending upon the structure of the alcohol or diol used to make the salt, and were generally higher for alcohols/diols having more perfluorinated methylene groups

Mesoporous Carbon/Zirconia Composites: A Potential Route to Chemically Functionalized Electrically-Conductive Mesoporous Materials

Mesoporous nanocomposite materials in which nanoscale zirconia (ZrO₂) particles are embedded in the carbon skeleton of a templated mesoporous carbon matrix were prepared, and the embedded zirconia sites were used to accomplish chemical functionalization of the interior surfaces of mesopores. These nanocomposite materials offer a unique combination of high porosity (e.g., ∼84% void space), electrical conductivity, and surface tailorability. The ZrO₂/carbon nanocomposites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen-adsorption porosimetry, helium pychnometry, powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Comparison was made with templated mesoporous carbon samples prepared without addition of ZrO₂. Treatment of the nanocomposites with phenylphosphonic acid was undertaken and shown to result in robust binding of the phosphonic acid to the surface of ZrO₂ particles. Incorporation of nanoscale ZrO₂ surfaces in the mesoporous composite skeleton offers unique promise as a means for anchoring organophosphonates inside of pores through formation of robust covalent Zr–O–P bonds