Modern lithium ion batteries are known for their poor safety performance, with many reports of battery failure and fire having been reported. One of the major causes of battery fire is from the use of flammable solvents, such as organic carbonates, as the electrolyte. These hazards have long limited the usage of batteries in dangerous conditions, such as on the battlefield. To combat this issue, framergy and the University of Louisville have teamed up to develop a series of novel battery materials that are based upon the combination of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs). DES are known for the low vapor pressures and flammability, something that has made them materials of interest in fire resistance applications. Meanwhile, MOFs are highly porous, tunable materials that are known for their strong ability to interact with guest molecules, engendering them with high ionic conductivities. By combining these two materials, the team has shown that batteries can be achieved that have high charge/discharge cyclic efficiency, while also eliminating the problem of electrolyte flammability. With this project, the team will evaluate their potential as robust battery components, enabling longer-term missions for the next generation of warfighters.
