Synthesis of a Fluorinated Alkoxyaluminate Calcium-Ion Electrolyte

Abstract

Calcium-ion batteries (CIBs) have the potential to be safe, long-lasting, and cost-efficient alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Despite these clear advantages, CIBs are not prevalent as the cathode materials have not been optimized and a non-aqueous electrolyte that plates and strips calcium without the formation of side products has not been reported. In this work, a non-aqueous fluorinated alkoxyaluminate calcium-ion electrolyte was synthesized using calcium hexafluoroisopropoxide (Ca(HFIP)2) and aluminum hexafluoroisopropoxide (Al(HFIP)3). The electrolyte showed a high conductivity without measurable overpotentials, and did not form common side products. The successful synthesis of a calcium-ion electrolyte using this synthesis procedure is reported for the first time.