Electrolytes based on organic solvents used in current Li-ion batteries are not compatible with the next-generation energy storage technologies including those based on Li metal. Thus, there has been an increase in research activities investigating solid-state electrolytes, ionic liquids (ILs), polymers, and combinations of these. This Account will discuss some of the work from our teams in these areas. Similarly, other metal-based technologies including Na, Mg, Zn, and Al, for example, are being considered as alternatives to Libased energy storage. However, the materials research required to effectively enable these alkali metal based energy storage applications is still in its relative infancy. Once again, electrolytes play a significant role in enabling these devices, and research has for the most part progressed along similar lines to that in advanced lithium technologies. Some of our recent contributions in these areas will also be discussed, along with our perspective on future directions in this field. For example, one approach has been to develop single-ion conductors, where the anion is tethered to the polymer backbone, and the dominant charge conductor is the lithium or sodium countercation. Typically, these present with low conductivity, whereas by using a copolymer approach or incorporating bulky quaternary ammonium co-cations, the effective charge separation is increased thus leading to higher conductivities and greater mobility of the alkali metal cation. This has been demonstrated both experimentally and via computer simulations. Further enhancements in ion transport may be possible in the future by designing and tethering more weakly associating anions to the polymer backbone. The second approach considers ion gels or composite polymer electrolytes where a polymerized ionic liquid is the matrix that provides both mechanical robustness and ion conducting pathways. The block copolymer approach is also demonstrated, in this case, to simultaneously provide mechanical properties and high ionic conductivity when used in combination with ionic-liquid electrolytes. The ultimate electrolyte material that will enable all high-performance solid-state batteries will have ion transport decoupled from the mechanical properties. While inorganic conductors can achieve this, their rigid, brittle nature creates difficulties. On the other hand, ionic polymers and their composites provide a rich area of chemistry to design and tune high ionic conductivity together with ideal mechanical properties.

The ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201905219.With increasing demands for safe, high capacity energy storage to support personal electronics, newer devices such as unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as the commercialization of electric vehicles, current energy storage technologies are facing increased challenges. Although alternative batteries have been intensively investigated, lithium (Li) batteries are still recognized as the preferred energy storage solution for the consumer electronics markets and next generation automobiles. However, the commercialized Li batteries still have disadvantages, such as low capacities, potential safety issues, and unfavorable cycling life. Therefore, the design and development of electromaterials toward high-energy-density, long-life-span Li batteries with improved safety is a focus for researchers in the field of energy materials. Herein, recent advances in the development of novel organic electrolytes are summarized toward solid-state Li batteries with higher energy density and improved safety. On the basis of new insights into ionic conduction and design principles of organic-based solid-state electrolytes, specific strategies toward developing these electrolytes for Li metal anodes, high-energy-density cathode materials (e.g., high voltage materials), as well as the optimization of cathode formulations are outlined. Finally, prospects for next generation solid-state electrolytes are also proposed.

Extraction of tetrachloroaurate or tetrabromoaurate anions has been carried out at acidic pHs (1 and 4) with several ionic liquids bearing halide or bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide NTf 2 − anions and cations 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1-octylpyridinium or 1-methyl-1-octylpyrrolidinium. The removal of gold anionic moieties from water was first studied by mixing aqueous solutions containing gold complexes and water soluble halide (chloride or bromide) ionic liquids. This lead to the formation of either a solid precipitate or a liquid phase corresponding to a hydrophobic ionic liquid based on a tetrahalogenoaurate anion. Values below 10 −6 for the solubility products of gold-bearing ionic liquids were obtained. Liquidliquid extraction of anionic gold complexes with hydrophobic ionic liquids was also carried out. Gold was successfully extracted from water whatever the pH and the ionic liquid used. Distribution coefficients ranged from 3 × 10 2 to 3 × 10 4 . Investigation on the extraction mechanism revealed an anion exchange between one anionic gold complex and one NTf 2 − anion.− , X representing a chloride or a bromide anion accordingly, is studied using IL. In order to study the influence of the cation ring (size and aromaticity of the ring, charge delocalization) on the removal of

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Herein, the use of a novel block copolymer host, based on a polymerized ionic liquid block copolymer, is proposed. Mechanically robust solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) with high lithium conductivity are developed using a ternary polymer electrolyte system, consisting of a poly(styrene‐b‐1‐((2‐acryloyloxy)ethyl)‐3‐butylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfo‐nyl)imide) (S‐PIL64‐16) block copolymer, a N‐propyl‐N‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (C3mpyrFSI) ionic liquid (IL) and a lithium bis (fluorosulfonyl) imide (LiFSI) salt. The impact of both IL and lithium salt concentration on the morphology, ion migration processes and electrochemical performance of the electrolytes is characterized. High lithium ion conductivity is achieved when anion to Li+ molar ratio was kept below a value of 1.5, resulting in a lithium transport number (boldtboldLboldi+ ) as high as 0.53 at 50 °C. Finally, the cycling performance in a Li|LiFePO4 full cell is assessed using an in‐house formulated solid‐state high loading cathode (LiFePO4 loading=10 mg cm−2, 1.8 mAh cm−2). 98 % of the theoretical discharge capacity (167 mA g−1) is achieved for the first cycle at a C‐rate of C/20 at 50 °C. The results herein reported are the first demonstration of a PIL block copolymer‐IL‐salt composite electrolyte operating at near‐practical levels, making them a promising choice of electrolyte for the next generation of solid‐state high capacity lithium‐metal batteries.

Composite solid electrolytes including inorganic nanoparticles or nanofibers which improve the performance of polymer electrolytes due to their superior mechanical, ionic conductivity, or lithium transference number are actively being researched for applications in lithium metal batteries. However, inorganic nanoparticles present limitations such as tedious surface functionalization and agglomeration issues and poor homogeneity at high concentrations in polymer matrixes. In this work, we report on polymer nanoparticles with a lithium sulfonamide surface functionality (LiPNP) for application as electrolytes in lithium metal batteries. The particles are prepared by semibatch emulsion polymerization, an easily up-scalable technique. LiPNPs are used to prepare two different families of particle-reinforced solid electrolytes. When mixed with poly­(ethylene oxide) and lithium bis­(trifluoromethane)­sulfonimide (LiTFSI/PEO), the particles invoke a significant stiffening effect (E′ > 106 Pa vs 105 Pa at 80 °C) while the membranes retain high ionic conductivity (σ = 6.6 × 10–4 S cm–1). Preliminary testing in LiFePO4 lithium metal cells showed promising performance of the PEO nanocomposite electrolytes. By mixing the particles with propylene carbonate without any additional salt, we obtain true single-ion conducting gel electrolytes, as the lithium sulfonamide surface functionalities are the only sources of lithium ions in the system. The gel electrolytes are mechanically robust (up to G′ = 106 Pa) and show ionic conductivity up to 10–4 S cm–1. Finally, the PC nanocomposite electrolytes were tested in symmetrical lithium cells. Our findings suggest that all-polymer nanoparticles could represent a new building block material for solid-state lithium metal battery applications.

We have shown that protic ionic liquids, pILs, are effective coagulation solvents for the regenerated of silk fibroin, RSF. We show that the choice of pIL has a dramatic effect on the composition of the RSF. Additionally the use of pILs as the coagulator eliminates the need for volatile organic solvents in silk processing.

The prevalence of self-reported diabetes in indigenous Australians is more than eight times higher than that in non-indigenous Australians. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in people with diabetes is similar to that of non-indigenous Australians.