Preparation of spiro-type quaternary ammonium salt via economical and efficient synthetic route as electrolyte for electric double-layer capacitor

Abstract

A spiro-type quaternary ammonium salt, spiro-(1,1′)-bipyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate (SBP-BF₄) was successfully prepared by an economical and efficient three-step process comprising the cyclization reaction of 1,4-dibromobutane and pyrrolidine, and subsequent ion exchange pathway with KOH followed by neutralization reaction via HBF₄ in the system of ethanol solution. ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FI-IR and XPS analyses showed the structure of SBP-BF₄. The as-obtained SBP-BF₄ was dissolved in AN and used as the electrolyte for supercapacitor. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that, compared with commercial electrolyte TEMA-BF₄/AN, SBP-BF₄/AN exhibits high ionic conductivity, lower resistance and improved cycling performance, which is due to its smaller ion size and stable symmetry structure.

Keywords

spiro-type quaternary ammonium salt / synthesis / electrolyte / electric double-layer capacitor

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