Ionic liquid sodium anodes

Alkali metals have high oxidation-reduction potentials and low atomic masses. Thus they are attractive candidates for anodes in secondary batteries. In this context, it was shown in a couple of investigations that lithium and sodium can be electrodeposited from tetrachloroaluminate-based ionic liquids. 

Sodium and lithium Both sodium [15] and lithium [16] electrodeposition was successful in neutral chloroaluminate ionic liquids that contained protons. These elements are interesting for Na- or Li-based secondary batteries, where the metals would serve directly as the anode material. The electrodeposition is not possible in basic or acidic chloroaluminates, only proton-rich NaQ or LiQ buffered neutral chloroaluminate liquids were feasible. The protons enlarged the electrochemical window towards the cathodic regime so that the alkali metal electrodeposition became possible. For Na the proton source was dissolved HQ that was introduced via the gas phase or via 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen dichloride. Triethanolamine hydrogen dichloride was employed as the proton source for Li electrodeposition. For both alkali metals, reversible deposition and stripping were reported on tungsten and stainless steel substrates, respectively. 

C, although by cycle 4 this dropped to 100 mAh g While there are severe limitations with magnesium-based anodes, this work does demonstrate that cathodes for cells using ionic liquids need not be limited to lithium and sodium. 

Typically, the electrodes are of lead dioxide on a titanium substrate in the form of horizontal perforated plates, usually 5-40 mm apart, depending on the conductivity of the liquid. A potential difference of 5-10 V may be applied to give current densities of the order of 100 A/m2. Frequently, the conductivity of the suspension itself is adequate, though it may be necessary to add ionic materials, such as sodium chloride or sulphuric acid. Electrode fouling can usually be prevented by periodically reversing the polarity of the electrodes. Occasionally, consumable iron or aluminium anodes may be used because the ions released into the suspension may then assist flocculation of the suspended solids. 

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