Ionic liquids in green energy storage devices: lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and solar cells

Abstract

Due to characteristic properties of ionic liquids such as non-volatility, high thermal stability, negligible vapor pressure, and high ionic conductivity, ionic liquids-based electrolytes have been widely used as a potential candidate for renewable energy storage devices, like lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors and they can improve the green credentials and performance of energy storage devices. Furthermore, ionic liquids have found extensive use in solar cells as electrolytes, demonstrating favorable outcomes in terms of increased durability and heightened efficiency of the devices. These devices have become indispensable in human life and they are playing a vital and promising role in the worldwide endeavor to address both the challenges of renewable energy supply and air pollution simultaneously. The energy storage ability and safety of energy storage devices are in fact determined by the arrangement of ions and electrons between the electrode and the electrolyte. In this review, we provide an overview of ionic liquids as electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors and, solar cells.

Graphical abstract