Nanoscale Hybrid Electrolytes with Viscosity Controlled Using Ionic Stimulus for Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage

• DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00410
• Publication Date: 2022-03-03T00:44:39Z
• Authors: Sara T. Hamilton; Tony G. Feric; Sahana Bhattacharyya; Nelly M. Cantillo; Steven G. Greenbaum; Thomas A. Zawodzi...; Ah-Hyung Alissa Park
• Keywords: Chemistry; QD1-999; 7. Clean energy; 01 natural sciences; 0104 chemical sciences

As renewable energy is rapidly integrated into the grid, challenge has become storing intermittent electricity. Technologies including flow batteries and CO2 conversion to dense carriers are promising storage options for To achieve this technological advancement, development of next generation electrolyte materials that can increase density combine capture desired. Liquid-like nanoparticle organic hybrid (NOHMs) composed an inorganic core with a tethered polymeric canopy (e.g., polyetheramine (HPE)) have capability bind chemical species interest redox-active species. In study, unique response NOHM-I-HPE-based electrolytes salt addition was investigated, effects on solution viscosity structural configurations canopy, impacting transport behaviors. The 0.1 M NaCl drastically lowered NOHM-based by up 90%, reduced hydrodynamic diameter NOHM-I-HPE, increased its self-diffusion coefficient, while ionic strength did not alter behaviors untethered HPE. This study first fundamentally discern changes in polymer NOHMs induced provides comprehensive understanding effect stimulus their bulk properties local dynamics. These insights could be ultimately employed tailor range electrochemical applications.