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DOE OSTI2022

Solvent selection criteria for temperature-resilient lithium–sulfur batteries

All-climate temperature operation capability and increased energy density have been recognized as two crucial targets, but they are rarely achieved together in rechargeable lithium (Li) batteries. Herein, we demonstrate an electrolyte system by using monodentate dibutyl ether with both low melting and high boiling points as the sole solvent. Its weak solvation endows an aggregate solvation structure and low solubility toward polysulfide species in a relatively low electrolyte concentration (2 mol L −1 ). These features were found to be vital in avoiding dendrite growth and enabling Li metal Coulombic efficiencies of 99.0%, 98.2%, and 98.7% at 23 °C, −40 °C, and 50 °C, respectively. Pouch cells employing thin Li metal (50 μm) and high-loading sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (3.3 mAh cm −2 ) cathodes (negative-to-positive capacity ratio = 2) output 87.5% and 115.9% of their room temperature capacity at −40 °C and 50 °C, respectively. This work provides solvent-based design criteria for a wide temperature range Li-sulfur pouch cells.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2021

Highly Concentrated Electrolytes: Electrochemical and Physicochemical Characteristics of LiPF 6 in Propylene Carbonate Solutions

Highly concentrated electrolytes (HCEs) based on LiPF 6 in propylene carbonate (PC) have been examined as lithium-ion battery electrolytes. These HCEs have lower ionic conductivities and higher viscosities than ethylene carbonate (EC) electrolytes with 1.2 M LiPF 6 , but they have higher Li + ion transference numbers. Electrochemical cycling behaviour of LiNi 0.8 Co 0.015 Al 0.05 O 2 //graphite cells with 3.2 M LiPF 6 in PC resembles that of cells with EC-based electrolytes; the HCE cells have higher impedance, which can be lowered by increasing test temperature. By employing Raman and infrared spectroscopy, combined with density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, we reveal that the Li + solvation structure and speciation are key factors that determine cell performance. Two distinct regimes are observed as a function of salt concentration—in the conventional regime, the solvation number (SN) is mostly constant, while in the HCE regime it decreases linearly. Graphite exfoliation is suppressed only at very high salt concentrations ( > 2.4 M), where [ PC ] free /[Li + ] < 1 and P F 6 − f r e e > P C f r e e . Results from the Advanced Electrolyte Model indicate that Li + desolvation improves at higher LiPF 6 concentrations, thereby mitigating PC co-intercalation into the graphite. However, Li + ion transport is hindered in the HCEs, which increases impedance at both the oxide-positive and graphite-negative electrodes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2022

Towards Elucidating Structure–Spectra Relationships in Rhamnogalacturonan II: Computational Protocols for Accurate 13C and 1H Shifts for Apiose and Its Borate Esters

Apiose is a naturally occurring, uncommon branched-chain pentose found in plant cell walls as part of the complex polysaccharide Rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II). The structural elucidation of the three-dimensional structure of RG-II by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is significantly complicated by the ability of apiose to cross-link via borate ester linkages to form RG-II dimers. Here, we developed a computational approach to gain insight into the structure–spectra relationships of apio–borate complexes in an effort to complement experimental assignments of NMR signals in RG-II. Our protocol involved structure optimizations using density functional theory (DFT) followed by isotropic magnetic shielding constant calculations using the gauge-invariant atomic orbital (GIAO) approach to predict chemical shifts. We evaluated the accuracy of 23 different functional–basis set (FBS) combinations with and without implicit solvation for predicting the experimental 1 H and 13 C shifts of a methyl apioside and its three borate derivatives. The computed NMR predictions were evaluated on the basis of the overall shift accuracy, relative shift ordering, and the ability to distinguish between dimers and monomers. We demonstrate that the consideration of implicit solvation during geometry optimizations in addition to the magnetic shielding constant calculations greatly increases the accuracy of NMR chemical shift predictions and can correctly reproduce the ordering of the 13 C shifts and yield predictions that are, on average, within 1.50 ppm for 13 C and 0.12 ppm for 1 H shifts for apio–borate compounds.

BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES,BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2012

2012 MOLECULAR AND IONIC CLUSTERS GORDON RESEARCH CONFERENCE, JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The Gordon Research Conference on 'Molecular and Ionic Clusters' focuses on clusters, which are the initial molecular species found in gases when condensation begins to occur. Condensation can take place solely from molecules interacting with each other, mostly at low temperatures, or when molecules condense around charged particles (electrons, protons, metal cations, molecular ions), producing ion molecule clusters. These clusters provide models for solvation, allow a pristine look at geometric as well as electronic structures of molecular complexes or matter in general, their interaction with radiation, their reactivity, their thermodynamic properties and, in particular, the related dynamics. This conference focuses on new ways to make clusters composed of different kinds of molecules, new experimental techniques to investigate the properties of the clusters and new theoretical methods with which to calculate the structures, dynamical motions and energetics of the clusters. Some of the main experimental methods employed include molecular beams, mass spectrometry, laser spectroscopy (from infrared to XUV; in the frequency as well as the time domain) and photoelectron spectroscopy. Techniques include laser absorption spectroscopy, laser induced fluorescence, resonance enhanced photoionization, mass-selected photodissociation, photofragment imaging, ZEKE photoelectron spectroscopy, etc. From the theoretical side, this conference highlights work on potential surfaces and measurable properties of the clusters. The close ties between experiment, theory and computation have been a hallmark of the Gordon Research Conference on Molecular and Ionic Clusters. In the 2012 meeting, we plan to have sessions that will focus on topics including: (1) The use of cluster studies to probe fundamental phenomena; (2) Finite size effects on structure and thermodynamics; (3) Intermolecular forces and cooperative effects; (4) Molecular clusters as models for solvation; and (5) Studies of clusters at XUV light sources.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2010

Early Events in Ionic Liquid Radiation Chemistry

Ionic liquids are interesting and useful materials whose solvation time scales are up to thousands of times longer than in conventional solvents. The extended lifetimes of pre-solvated electrons and other energetic species in ionic liquids has profound consequences for the radiolytic product distributions and reactivity patterns. We use a newly developed, multiplexed variation of pulse-probe spectroscopy to measure the kinetics of the early dynamical and reactive events in ionic liquids.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2020

Long-Range Ordered Amorphous Atomic Chains as Building Blocks of a Superconducting Quasi-One-Dimensional Crystal

Crystalline and amorphous structures are two of the most common solid-state phases. Crystals having orientational and periodic translation symmetries are usually both short-range and long-range ordered, while amorphous materials have no long-range order. Short-range ordered but long-range disordered materials are generally categorized into amorphous phases. In contrast to the extensively studied crystalline and amorphous phases, the combination of short-range disordered and long-range ordered structures at the atomic level is extremely rare and so far has only been reported for solvated fullerenes under compression. Here, a report on the creation and investigation of a superconducting quasi-1D material with long-range ordered amorphous building blocks is presented. Using a diamond anvil cell, monocrystalline (TaSe4)(2)I is compressed and a system is created where the TaSe(4)atomic chains are in amorphous state without breaking the orientational and periodic translation symmetries of the chain lattice. Strikingly, along with the amorphization of the atomic chains, the insulating (TaSe4)(2)I becomes a superconductor. The data provide critical insight into a new phase of solid-state materials. The findings demonstrate a first ever case where superconductivity is hosted by a lattice with periodic but amorphous constituent atomic chains.

combination of crystalline and amorphous structure↗

DOE OSTI2020

A High-Rate Aqueous Proton Battery Delivering Power Below -78 °C via an Unfrozen Phosphoric Acid

Lithium-sulfur batteries are attractive for automobile and grid applications due to their high theoretical energy density and the abundance of sulfur. Despite the significant progress in cathode development, lithium metal degradation and the polysulfide shuttle remain two critical challenges in the practical application of Li-S batteries. Development of advanced electrolytes has become a promising strategy to simultaneously suppress lithium dendrite formation and prevent polysulfide dissolution. Here, a new class of concentrated siloxane-based electrolytes, demonstrating significantly improved performance over the widely investigated ether-based electrolytes are reported in terms of stabilizing the sulfur cathode and Li metal anode as well as minimizing flammability. Through a combination of experimental and computational investigation, it is found that siloxane solvents can effectively regulate a hidden solvation-ion-exchange process in the concentrated electrolytes that results from the interactions between cations/anions and solvents. As a result, it could invoke a quasi-solid-solid lithiation and enable reversible Li plating/stripping and robust solid-electrolyte interphase chemistries. The solvation-ion-exchange process in the concentrated electrolytes is a key factor in understanding and designing electrolytes for other high-energy lithium metal batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Modulating the Mixing Gibbs Free Energy to Enhance Solid–Liquid Phase Separation for High–Performance Organic Solar Cells

Organic solar cells (OSC) feature a hierarchical structure with the electron donor/acceptor layer sandwiched by anode and cathode, which raises the importance of controlling the molecular crystal orientation, domain size, and vertical distribution to facilitate the charge collection at electrodes. However, the similar conjugated backbone of donor/acceptor material and fast film–formation kinetics have led to spinodal–decomposition–orientated phase separation that result in the film presenting an intimately mixed morphology and random molecular orientation. To solve the issue, the mixing Gibbs free energy–triggered solid–liquid phase separation during the film formation process is enhanced by solidifying one component and solvating the other based on a liquid additive. Following the liquid evaporation process, a favorable vertical distribution is obtained. Meanwhile, the prolonged solvation process enlarges the domain size and assists the molecules to diffuse and orient properly, enabling better exciton/charge dynamics during the power conversion processes. As a result, the fabricated devices exhibit a fill factor over 80% and an efficiency of 18.72%, which is one of the top efficiencies for binary OSCs. In conclusion, insights and a methodology is provided here to manipulate the organic donor/acceptor phase separation in terms of mixing Gibbs free energy.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2019

A Selection Rule for Hydrofluoroether Electrolyte Cosolvent: Establishing a Linear Free‐Energy Relationship in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Abstract Hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) have been adopted widely as electrolyte cosolvents for battery systems because of their unique low solvating behavior. The electrolyte is currently utilized in lithium‐ion, lithium–sulfur, lithium–air, and sodium‐ion batteries. By evaluating the relative solvating power of different HFEs with distinct structural features, and considering the shuttle factor displayed by electrolytes that employ HFE cosolvents, we have established the quantitative structure–activity relationship between the organic structure and the electrochemical performance of the HFEs. Moreover, we have established the linear free‐energy relationship between the structural properties of the electrolyte cosolvents and the polysulfide shuttle effect in lithium–sulfur batteries. These findings provide valuable mechanistic insight into the polysulfide shuttle effect in lithium–sulfur batteries, and are instructive when it comes to selecting the most suitable HFE electrolyte cosolvent for different battery systems.

Su, Chi‐Cheung↗

DOE OSTI2021

Advanced Low‐Flammable Electrolytes for Stable Operation of High‐Voltage Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract Despite being an effective flame retardant, trimethyl phosphate (TMP a ) is generally considered as an unqualified solvent for fabricating electrolytes used in graphite (Gr)‐based lithium‐ion batteries as it readily leads to Gr exfoliation and cell failure. In this work, by adopting the unique solvation structure of localized high‐concentration electrolyte (LHCE) to TMP a and tuning the composition of the solvation sheaths via electrolyte additives, excellent electrochemical performance can be achieved with TMP a ‐based electrolytes in Gr∥LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 cells. After 500 charge/discharge cycles within the voltage range of 2.5–4.4 V, the batteries containing the TMP a ‐based LHCE with a proper additive can achieve a capacity retention of 85.4 %, being significantly higher than cells using a LiPF 6 ‐organocarbonates baseline electrolyte (75.2 %). Meanwhile, due to the flame retarding effect of TMP a , TMP a ‐based LHCEs exhibit significantly reduced flammability compared with the conventional LiPF 6 ‐organocarbonates electrolyte.

Jia, Hao↗

DOE OSTI2022

Phase Transfer‐Mediated Degradation of Ether‐Based Localized High‐Concentration Electrolytes in Alkali Metal Batteries

Abstract Localized high‐concentration electrolytes (LHCEs) have attracted interest in alkali metal batteries due to the advantages of forming stable solid‐electrolyte interphases (SEIs) on anodes and good chemical/electrochemical stability. Herein, a new degradation mechanism is revealed for ether‐based LHCEs that questions their compatibility with alkali metal anodes (Li, Na, and K). Specifically, the ether solvent reacts with alkali metals to generate solvated electrons (e s − ) that attack hydrofluoroether co‐solvents to form a series of byproducts. The ether solvent essentially acts as a phase‐transfer reagent that continuously transfers electrons from solid‐phase metals into the solution phase, thus inhibiting the formation of stable SEI and leading to continuous alkali metal corrosion. Switching to an ester‐based solvating solvent or intercalation anodes such as graphite or molybdenum disulfide has been shown to avoid such a degradation mechanism due to the absence of e s − .

Chen, Xiaojuan↗

DOE OSTI2019

A Selection Rule for Hydrofluoroether Electrolyte Cosolvent: Establishing a Linear Free‐Energy Relationship in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Su, Chi‐Cheung↗

DOE OSTI2021

Advanced Low-Flammable Electrolytes for Stable Operation of High-Voltage Lithium-Ion Batteries

Despite being an effective flame retardant, trimethyl phosphate (TMP a ) is generally considered as an unqualified solvent for fabricating electrolytes used in graphite (Gr) based lithium ion batteries as it readily leads to Gr exfoliation and cell failure. In this work, by adopting the unique solvation structure of localized high-concentration electrolyte (LHCE) to TMP a and tuning the composition of the solvation sheath via electrolyte additive, excellent electrochemical performance can be achieved with TMPa based electrolytes in Gr||LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 cells. After 500 charge/discharge cycles within the voltage range of 2.5-4.4 V, the batteries containing TMPa based LHCEs with proper additive can achieve a capacity retention of 85.4%, being significantly higher than cells using a LiPF 6 -organocarbonates baseline electrolyte (75.2%). Meanwhile, due to the flame retarding effect of TMP a , TMP a based LHCEs exhibit significantly reduced flammability compared with the conventional LiPF 6 -organocarbonates electrolyte.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2021

In Situ ATR-FTIR Study of the Cathode–Electrolyte Interphase: Electrolyte Solution Structure, Transition Metal Redox, and Surface Layer Evolution

We present a study of the lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 , NMC622) cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) during galvanostatic charging and discharging using in situ attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) methods to investigate the voltage dependent electrolyte solution structure changes at the interface, transition metal (TM) redox chemistry, and cathode/electrolyte interfacial layer evolution. Furthermore, our in situ cell design provides both reliable electrochemical device testing and strong FTIR vibrational absorption signals near the cathode surface. Specifically, advanced spectral analysis elucidates changes of near-surface Li+ ion (de)solvation by solvent molecules during galvanostatic cycling. Moreover, cathode metal-oxygen vibrational absorptions, sensitive to TM redox behaviors and subsequent local structural variations, were correlated to cathode de-lithiation (and lithiation) and electrolyte solution structure changes. In addition, we have detected the formation and evolution of a CEI surface layer on the NMC622 cathode that contributes to the cell's capacity fade.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2017

Reinventing Design Principles for Developing Low-Viscosity Carbon Dioxide-Binding Organic Liquids for Flue Gas Clean Up

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emission from point sources, such as coal fired-power plants, account for the majority of the green houses gasses in the atmosphere. Capture, storage and utilization are required to mitigate adverse environmental effects. Aqueous amine-based CO 2 capture solvents are currently considered the industry standard, but deployment to market is limited by their high regeneration energy demand. In that context, energy efficient and less-viscous water-lean transformational solvent systems known as CO 2 Binding Organic Liquids (CO 2 BOLs) are being developed in our group to advance this technology to commercialization. Herein, we present a logical design approach based on fundamental concepts of organic chemistry and computer simulations aimed at lowering solvent viscosity. Conceptually, viscosity reduction would be achieved by systemmatic methods such as introduction of steric hindrance on the anion to minimize the intermolecular cation-anion interactions, fine tuning the electronics, hydrogen bonding orientation and strength, and charge solvation. Conventional standard trial-and-error approaches while effective, are time consuming and economically expensive. Herein, we rethink the metrics and design principles of low-viscosity CO 2 capture solvents using a combined synthesis and computational modeling approach. We critically study the impacts of modyfying factors such as as orientation of hydrogen bonding, introduction of higher degrees of freedom and cation or anion charge solvation and assess if or how each factor impacts viscosity of CO 2 BOL CO 2 capture solvents. Ultimately, we found that hydrogen bond orientation and strength is predominantly influencing the viscosity in CO 2 BOL solvents. With this knowledge, a new 1-MEIPADM-2-BOL CO 2 BOL variant was synthesized and tested, resulting in a solvent that is approximately 60% less viscous at 25 mol% CO 2 loading with respect to our base compound 1-IPADM-2-BOL. The insights gained from the current study redefines the fundamental concepts and understanding of what influences viscosity in concentrated organic CO 2 capture solvents.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2016

A computational approach to predicting ligand selectivity for the size-based separation of trivalent lanthanides

An accurate description of solvation effects for trivalent lanthanide ions is a main stumbling block to the qualitative prediction of selectivity trends along the lanthanide series. In this work, we propose a simple model to describe the differential effect of solvation in the competitive binding of a ligand by lanthanide ions by including weakly co-ordinated counterions in the complexes of more than a +1 charge. The success of the approach to quantitatively reproduce selectivities obtained from aqueous phase complexation studies demonstrates its potential for the design and screening of new ligands for efficient size-based separation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2017

Combined quantum‐mechanical molecular mechanics calculations with NWChem and AMBER: Excited state properties of green fluorescent protein chromophore analogue in aqueous solution

Combined quantum mechanical molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations have become a popular methodology for efficient and accurate description of large molecular systems. In this work we introduce our development of a QM/MM framework based on two well‐known codes—NWChem and AMBER. As an initial application area we are focused on excited state properties of small molecules in an aqueous phase using an analogue of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) chromophore as a particular test case. Our approach incorporates high level coupled cluster theory for the analysis of excited states providing a reliable theoretical analysis of effects of an aqueous solvation environment on the photochemical properties of the GFP chromophore. Using a systematic approach, which involves comparison of gas phase and aqueous phase results for different protonation states and conformations, we resolve existing uncertainties regarding the theoretical interpretation of experimental data. We observe that the impact of aqueous environment on charged states generally results in blue shifts of the absorption spectra, but the magnitude of the effect is sensitive to both protonation state and conformation and can be rationalized based on charge movement into the area of higher/lower external electrostatic potentials. At neutral pH levels the experimentally observed absorption signal is most likely coming from the phenol protonated form. Our results also show that the high level electron correlated method is essential for a proper description of excited states of GFP. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Pirojsirikul, Teerapong↗

DOE OSTI2019

Prediction of p K a s of Late Transition‐Metal Hydrides via a QM/QM Approach

Three implicit solvation models, the conductor‐like polarizable continuum model (C‐PCM), the conductor‐like screening model (COSMO), and universal implicit solvent model (SMD), combined with a hybrid two layer QM/QM approach (ONIOM), were utilized to calculate the p K a values, using a direct thermodynamic scheme, of a set of Group 10 transition metal (TM) hydrides in acetonitrile. To obtain the optimal combination of quantum methods for ONIOM calculations with implicit solvation models, the influence of factors, such as the choice of density functional and basis set, the atomic radii used to build a cavity in the solvent, and the size of the model system in an ONIOM scheme, was examined. Additionally, the impact of Grimme's empirical dispersion correction and exact exchange was also investigated. The results were calibrated by experimental data. This investigation provides insight about effective models for the prediction of thermodynamic properties of TM‐containing complexes with bulky ligands. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Patel, Prajay↗