Abstract
This report discusses the results of an independent study that investigates the impact of ionic-liquid (IL) based electrolytes on Li-CO₂ battery performance. Three electrolytes were compared in this study at two temperatures: room temperature and 60 °C. The electrolytes tested were BMIM-DMSO (an IL-based electrolyte), TEGDME, and DMSO. The results indicate that the IL-based electrolyte enables better electrochemical reactions and achieves a higher discharge capacity than the other two electrolytes. This study also compared cathodes with different catalysts, emphasizing the importance of catalyst choice. The comparison showed that bismuth oxide combined with Vulcan carbon may serve as a strong catalyst for future cathode designs. To further characterize discharge product formation, cathodes were neutron-imaged at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and image processing has begun using Dragonfly 3D, although additional analysis is still needed. Overall, these findings demonstrate that electrolyte and catalyst selection play key roles in advancing Li-CO₂ battery performance and lay the groundwork for optimizing next-generation CO₂-utilizing energy systems.
Document Type
Final Report
Class Name
Mechanical Engineering and Material Sciences Independent Study
Language
English (en)
Date of Submission
12-14-2025
Recommended Citation
Gammon, Kaden T., "Investigating Ionic Liquid (IL)-based Electrolytes in Li-CO2 Battery Performance" (2025). Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Independent Study. 319.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/mems500/319