Spectroscopic Measurements of Ionic Association in Common Lithium Salts and Carbonate Electrolytes

Author

Navid Chapman, University of Rhode IslandFollow

Date of Award

2016

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Chemistry

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Brett Lucht

Abstract

FTIR and NMR spectroscopy were used to investigate the structure and composition of lithium ion solvation spheres of single salt electrolyte solutions composed of common lithium salts (LiTFSI, LiPF₆, LiBF₄, and LiClO₄) dissolved in aprotic polar linear and cyclic carbonate solvents (propylene carbonate (PC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC)). The coordination of the carbonyl oxygen of the solvents to the lithium ion is observed by FTIR spectroscopy. Determination of relative percent coordination of PC and DMC was used to calculate solvent coordination numbers in a range from 2 to 7. Solvent coordination was also monitored with ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and agreement was found when comparing the two spectroscopic methods. Solvent coordination is dependent upon the magnitude of salt dissociation. LiTFSI, LiPF₆, and LiClO₄ dissociated to approximately the same degree, while LiBF₄ had significantly less dissociation. Dissociation trends between salts were approximate under all solvent systems. The primary solvation sphere was determined to form contact ion pairs at low solvent to salt ratios (up to 4:1) and solvent separated ion pairs in dilute solutions up to (30:1). In dilute solutions, PC had preference over DMC for preferential solvation as expected by the magnitude of relative permittivity. This investigation was conducted in order to develop a fundamental understanding about the solution structure and aid as a tool for the ionic association evaluation of commonly used LIB electrolytes.

Recommended Citation

Chapman, Navid, "Spectroscopic Measurements of Ionic Association in Common Lithium Salts and Carbonate Electrolytes" (2016). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 924.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/924