Momentous past and key advancements in ionic liquid mediated polymer electrolyte for application in energy storage

Abstract

This review article discusses the recent advances of ionic liquid-based polymer electrolytes (ILPEs) to create innovative polymer electrolytes (PEs) and their applications in energy generation and storage. Ionic liquids (ILs) possess high ionic conductivity and are thermally, chemically, and electrochemically stable which enables their uses in electrochemical gadgets. Despite of these above-mentioned advantages, liquidus nature of ILs is the major curse for their practical application because of spillage and compactness issues. Thus, there is ever increasing need to immobilize ILs into some organic/inorganic frameworks that furnish great mechanical steadiness alongside saving the fundamental properties of ILs that can altogether give a huge scope of utilization to these materials. The ILPEs thus formed have been reported to have advantageous properties (such as high ionic conductivity, thermal, chemical, and electrochemical stability) as compared to conventionally used PEs. In this review, we have not only discussed the key advancement in the field of ILPEs but also exemplified how the adaptability of these technologically important materials especially in energy storage (rechargeable batteries) has shown momentous past and is riding toward a promising future.