A study of dynamics in deep eutectic solvents - a material class with energy storage potential

What is it about?

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are an environmentally friendly class of materials with a wide range of potential applications. For example, they are considered for electrochemical applications as batteries, where a high ionic conductivity is crucial. We have performed dielectric- and rheological-spectroscopy experiments on three DESs belonging to the class of carboxylic-acid-based DESs, whose constituents can be found in nature and whose ionic conductivity is higher than in many other DESs. Our investigations cover a wide temperature range to gain a better understanding of their ionic conductivity as well as the microscopic processes affecting it. We focus on the structural relaxation dynamics, the reorientational motions of the dipolar constituents, and the role of the glass transition.

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Photo by Roberto Sorin on Unsplash

Photo by Roberto Sorin on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The dipolar orientational motions and the glass transition in DESs are often neglected although they can considerably affect the ionic conductivity in electrolytes. Our study provides new fundamental information on the ionic charge transport and on the complex interrelation between the different observed dynamics in an important class of DESs.

Perspectives