Organosilicon Amine-Based Electrolytes

Abstract

Disclosed are electrolytes that are organosilicon amine-based, and supercapacitors which incorporate them. These electrolytes are quaternary ammonium salts with an organosilicon moiety. They appear particularly suitable for use at high voltages in applications such as electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

1 . An electrolyte comprising a cationic moiety comprising the following structure: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are the same or different and each is selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties of less than ten carbons and hydrogen, wherein at least one of R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are alkyl moieties; 
       wherein R 4  is selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties of less than ten carbons, and alkoxy groups of less than ten carbons; and 
       wherein R 5 , R 6  and R 7  are the same or different and each is selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties of less than ten carbons, hydrogen and —O—SiR 8 R 9 R 10 , wherein R 8 , R 9  and R 10  are the same or different and each is selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties with less than ten carbons and hydrogen. 
     
   
   
       2 . The electrolyte of  claim 1 , wherein all of R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are alkyl moieties with less than three carbons. 
   
   
       3 . The electrolyte of  claim 1 , wherein R 4  is selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties with less than three carbons. 
   
   
       4 . The electrolyte of  claim 1 , wherein R 8 , R 9  and R 10  are selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties with less than three carbons. 
   
   
       5 . The electrolyte of  claim 1 , wherein all of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7  R 8 , R 9  and R 10  are alkyl moieties. 
   
   
       6 . The electrolyte of  claim 5 , wherein all of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7  R 8 , R 9  and R 10  are —CH 3  or —C 2 H 5 . 
   
   
       7 . The electrolyte of  claim 1 , wherein R 4  is (CH 2 ) n  and n is less than 5. 
   
   
       8 . The electrolyte of  claim 1 , further comprising an anion such that the cation is present in a salt. 
   
   
       9 . The electrolyte of  claim 8 , wherein the anion is selected from the group consisting of halogen anions, (CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 N − , B(C 2 O 4 ) 2   −  and tetrafluoroborate anion. 
   
   
       10 . The electrolyte of  claim 9 , wherein the anion is (CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 N − . 
   
   
       11 . An electrochemical double-layer capacitor comprising an electrolyte of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       12 . The electrochemical double-layer capacitor of  claim 11 , wherein the capacitor is capable of operating at a voltage of 5.0 volts or above. 
   
   
       13 . A quaternary ammonium salt having the following formula: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are the same or different and each is selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties of less than ten carbons and hydrogen, wherein at least one of R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are alkyl moieties; 
       wherein R 4  is selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties of less than ten carbons, and alkoxy groups of less than ten carbons; 
       wherein R 5 , R 6  and R 7  are the same or different and each is selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties of less than ten carbons, hydrogen and —O—SiR 8 R 9 R 10 , wherein R 8 , R 9  and R 10  are the same or different and each is selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties with less than ten carbons and hydrogen; and 
       wherein A is an anion. 
     
   
   
       14 . The salt of  claim 13 , wherein the anion is selected from the group consisting of halogen anions, (CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 N − , B(C 2 O 4 ) 2   −  and tetrafluoroborate anion.