Nanoconfined electrolytes and their use in batteries
A nanoconfined metal-containing electrolyte comprising a layer of enclosed nanostructures in which each enclosed nanostructure contains a liquid metal-containing electrolyte, wherein said enclosed nanostructures are in physical contact with each other. Metal-ion batteries containing the nanoconfined electrolyte in contact with an anode and cathode of the battery are also described. Methods for producing the nanoconfined electrolyte are also described.
1. A metal-ion battery comprising:
(a) an anode;
(b) a cathode; and
(c) a nanoconfined metal-containing electrolyte in contact with said anode and cathode, said nanoconfined metal-containing electrolyte comprising a layer of enclosed nanostructures having a particle size of at least 10 nm and up to 500 nm, wherein each enclosed nanostructure contains a liquid metal-containing electrolyte, wherein said enclosed nanostructures are in physical contact with each other, wherein said enclosed nanostructures contain pores, with at least 90% of the pores having a pore size of up to 6 nm, and wherein said nanostructures are hollow when not filled with the liquid metal-containing electrolyte.
2. The metal-ion battery according to claim 1 , wherein said anode is a metal anode.
3. The metal-ion battery according to claim 1 , wherein said enclosed nanostructures contain pores, with at least 90% of the pores having a pore size of up to 2 nm.
4. The metal-ion battery according to claim 1 , wherein said enclosed nanostructures have a particle size of at least 10 nm and up to 100 nm.
5. The metal-ion battery according to claim 1 , wherein said enclosed nanostructures have a particle size of at least 10 nm and up to 50 nm.
6. The metal-ion battery according to claim 1 , wherein said enclosed nanostructures have a metal oxide composition.
7. The metal-ion battery according to claim 6 , wherein said metal oxide composition is silicon oxide.
8. The metal-ion battery according to claim 1 , wherein said enclosed nanostructures have a crosslinked polymer composition.
9. The metal-ion battery according to claim 1 , wherein said metal-containing electrolyte comprises a metal salt dissolved in an organic solvent.
10. The metal-ion battery according to claim 1 , wherein said metal-containing electrolyte comprises a metal salt dissolved in an ionic liquid.