Amide-based deep eutectic solvents containing LiFSI and NaFSI salts as superionic electrolytes for supercapacitor applications

This work proposes two deep eutectic solvents (DESs) based on lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide and sodium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide together with N-methylacetamide and formamide as electrolytes for activated carbon (AC) electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) at 25 °C. The formulated DESs exhibit a large electrochemical window (ΔE > 2.5 V), good thermal stability (∼150 °C) and ionic conductivity (3–4 mS cm−1), and moderate viscosity (11.3 mPa s). Through the Vogel–Tamman–Vulcher fitting equation, the evolution of pseudo-energy activation was delineated with respect to the nature of the H-bond donor or alkali salt. These electrolytes present a superionic character gleaned from the Walden classification, and their ionicity exceeds that of standard organic electrolytes based on similar alkali salts. The performance of the AC-based EDLC was assessed by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge/discharge, yielding 140 F g−1 with an 8% capacity retention during 200 h of floating. Based on the physicochemical properties and electrochemical performance of these DESs, they represent a promising green-alternative electrolyte for supercapacitor applications.