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Title: Density functional theory and conductivity studies of boron-based anion receptors

Abstract

Anion receptors that bind strongly to fluoride anions in organic solvents can help dissolve the lithium fluoride discharge products of primary carbon monofluoride (CFx) batteries, thereby preventing the clogging of cathode surfaces and improving ion conductivity. The receptors are also potentially beneficial to rechargeable lithium ion and lithium air batteries. We apply Density Functional Theory (DFT) to show that an oxalate-based pentafluorophenyl-boron anion receptor binds as strongly, or more strongly, to fluoride anions than many phenyl-boron anion receptors proposed in the literature. Experimental data shows marked improvement in electrolyte conductivity when this oxalate anion receptor is present. The receptor is sufficiently electrophilic that organic solvent molecules compete with F for boron-site binding, and specific solvent effects must be considered when predicting its F affinity. To further illustrate the last point, we also perform computational studies on a geometrically constrained boron ester that exhibits much stronger gas-phase affinity for both F and organic solvent molecules. After accounting for specific solvent effects, however, its net F affinity is about the same as the simple oxalate-based anion receptor. Lastly, we propose that LiF dissolution in cyclic carbonate organic solvents, in the absence of anion receptors, is due mostly to the formation of ionicmore » aggregates, not isolated F ions.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
OSTI Identifier:
1235926
Report Number(s):
SAND-2015-2025J
Journal ID: ISSN 0013-4651; 569616
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Journal of the Electrochemical Society
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 162; Journal Issue: 9; Journal ID: ISSN 0013-4651
Publisher:
The Electrochemical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
25 ENERGY STORAGE; lithium ion batteries; CFx batteries; density functional theory; computational electrochemistry; anion receptors; fluoride

Citation Formats

Leung, Kevin, Chaudhari, Mangesh I., Rempe, Susan B., Fenton, Kyle R., Pratt, III, Harry D., Staiger, Chad L., and Nagasubramanian, Ganesan. Density functional theory and conductivity studies of boron-based anion receptors. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1149/2.1021509jes.
Leung, Kevin, Chaudhari, Mangesh I., Rempe, Susan B., Fenton, Kyle R., Pratt, III, Harry D., Staiger, Chad L., & Nagasubramanian, Ganesan. Density functional theory and conductivity studies of boron-based anion receptors. United States. https://doi.org/10.1149/2.1021509jes
Leung, Kevin, Chaudhari, Mangesh I., Rempe, Susan B., Fenton, Kyle R., Pratt, III, Harry D., Staiger, Chad L., and Nagasubramanian, Ganesan. Fri . "Density functional theory and conductivity studies of boron-based anion receptors". United States. https://doi.org/10.1149/2.1021509jes. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1235926.
@article{osti_1235926,
title = {Density functional theory and conductivity studies of boron-based anion receptors},
author = {Leung, Kevin and Chaudhari, Mangesh I. and Rempe, Susan B. and Fenton, Kyle R. and Pratt, III, Harry D. and Staiger, Chad L. and Nagasubramanian, Ganesan},
abstractNote = {Anion receptors that bind strongly to fluoride anions in organic solvents can help dissolve the lithium fluoride discharge products of primary carbon monofluoride (CFx) batteries, thereby preventing the clogging of cathode surfaces and improving ion conductivity. The receptors are also potentially beneficial to rechargeable lithium ion and lithium air batteries. We apply Density Functional Theory (DFT) to show that an oxalate-based pentafluorophenyl-boron anion receptor binds as strongly, or more strongly, to fluoride anions than many phenyl-boron anion receptors proposed in the literature. Experimental data shows marked improvement in electrolyte conductivity when this oxalate anion receptor is present. The receptor is sufficiently electrophilic that organic solvent molecules compete with F– for boron-site binding, and specific solvent effects must be considered when predicting its F– affinity. To further illustrate the last point, we also perform computational studies on a geometrically constrained boron ester that exhibits much stronger gas-phase affinity for both F– and organic solvent molecules. After accounting for specific solvent effects, however, its net F– affinity is about the same as the simple oxalate-based anion receptor. Lastly, we propose that LiF dissolution in cyclic carbonate organic solvents, in the absence of anion receptors, is due mostly to the formation of ionic aggregates, not isolated F– ions.},
doi = {10.1149/2.1021509jes},
journal = {Journal of the Electrochemical Society},
number = 9,
volume = 162,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jul 10 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Fri Jul 10 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}

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