Optimization of the OPLS force field for “water-in-salt” electrolytes

Abstract

Water-in-salt (WIS) electrolytes have attracted considerable interest in rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors, owing to their wide electrochemical stability window, non-flammability, and safety. A comprehensive understanding of the microstructure in WIS electrolytes provides a crucial theoretical foundation for their further development. In this work, the optimized potentials for liquid simulations (OPLS) force field parameters have been revisited by scaling atom charges to consider their ionic polarization. The ionic conductivity of different WIS electrolytes, calculated using the optimized force field, aligns well with the experimental observations. The polarization effects of ions exhibit augmentation as their size enlarges, which is caused by the enlargement of ion size inducing the asymmetry in the charge distribution. Additionally, the microstructures indicate that nitrates and perchlorates offer superior ionic conductivity, benefiting from a less ionic coordination number and lower viscosity. These insights could be of assistance in selecting force fields and comprehending the microstructure of WIS electrolytes.