Rechargeable Na/Na0.44MnO2 cells with ionic liquid electrolytes containing various sodium solutes

Orthorhombic Na0.44MnO2 with wide structural tunnels for sodium ion transport is synthesized. Butylmethylpyrrolidinium-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (BMP-TFSI) ionic liquid (IL) with various Na solutes, namely NaBF4, NaClO4, NaTFSI, and NaPF6, is used as an electrolyte for rechargeable Na/Na0.44MnO2 cells. The cell with NaClO(4)(-)incorporated IL electrolyte exhibits superior chargedischarge performance due to it having the lowest solidelectrolyte-interface resistance and charge transfer resistance at both the Na and Na0.44MnO2 electrodes. The IL electrolyte shows high thermal stability and is suitable for use at an elevated temperature. At 75 degrees C, the measured capacity of Na0.44MnO2 in the IL electrolyte with NaClO4 is as high as 115 mAh g(-1) (at 0.05 C), which is close to the theoretical value (121 mAh g(-1)). Moreover, 85% of this capacity can be retained when the charge-discharge rate is increased to 1 C. These properties are superior to those of a conventional organic electrolyte. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.