Ionic liquid catholytes and electrochemical devices containing same

Abstract

An ionic liquid catholyte includes an ionic liquid, such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EMICl), at least one half of a redox couple, and a sodium salt. The ionic liquid catholyte is suitable for use as a liquid cathode in an electrochemical device including an anode current collector, an anode in contact with the anode current collector, a cathode current collector, a liquid cathode in contact with the cathode current collector, and a solid electrolyte separating the anode and cathode current collectors. The one half of the redox couple includes a metal in a first oxidation state that is oxidized or reduced to yield the metal in a second oxidation state, and the redox couple includes the metal in the first oxidation state and the metal in the second oxidation state. The solid electrolyte is permeable to sodium ions and is in contact with the liquid anode and the liquid cathode.