Exploring the Formulation and Efficacy of Phosphazene-Based Flame Retardants for Conventional Supercapacitor Electrolytes.

The formulation of safe electrolytes for supercapacitors based on phosphazene used as a flame-retardant (FR) is carried out. 3 molecules are used: hexafluorocyclotriphosphazene (FR1), (ethoxy)pentafluorocyclotriphosphazene (FR2) and pentafluoro(phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene (FR3). A comparative study on the efficacy from a safety point of view is performed to determine the minimum percentages of each to be used in a conventional acetonitrile (ACN)/1.0 M tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (Et₄NBF₄) electrolyte to make it non-flammable. Flammability tests have shown that 5 %FR1, 15 %FR2 or 20 %FR3 are required to do that. The FTIR coupled to the TGA as well as the measurements of surface tensions and contact angles showed that the FRs tend to protect the surface of the electrolyte. The transport properties always remain good, superior to PC/1.0 M Et₄NBF₄ for example, and the electrochemical stability windows determined in 3-electrode cells with platinum or activated carbon are at least 2.5 V. The cycling performances are also interesting because the AC|AC EDLCs made in this study are compatible with these FRs, which makes it possible to operate devices providing energies and powers of 23.0 Wh kg^-1 and 3.7 kW kg^-1 with the electrolytes based on FR1 or FR2 between 0 and 2.5 V.