Ionic Liquid Modified Electrochemical Capacitor with Long-Term Performance

Ionic liquids are used, for example, as corrosion inhibitors for metals, steel, and metal alloys. The method of preventing corrosion through the whole group of these kinds of compounds, called inhibitors, is to use them as additives to aggressive environments, including aqueous electrolytes. In this article, we present the inhibitive effect of imidazolium ionic liquids with 2,5-dihydroxybenzenesulfonate anion on the corrosion of 316L stainless steel in neutral medium. In addition, we demonstrate that when the ionic liquid is used as an additive to the electrolyte solution (1 M Na2SO4) of a symmetric carbon/carbon electrochemical capacitor with 316L stainless-steel current collectors, the capacitor lifetime is significantly extended. The ionic-liquid additive inhibits corrosion of the current collector surface and, in effect, prevents activated carbon porous space from being blocked by corrosion products.

Automated summary

This article discusses the use of ionic liquids as corrosion inhibitors for metals and the extended lifetime of electrochemical capacitors when the ionic liquid is used as an additive to the electrolyte solution. The inhibitive effect of imidazolium ionic liquids on corrosion of stainless steel and prevention of activated carbon porous space blockage by corrosion products are also highlighted.