A combinatorial approach toward the discovery of electrolyte formulations for non-aqueous electrochemical energy storage devices

A unique robot-type instrument is herein described capable of producing large numbers of non-aqueous electrolyte mixtures involving the most common organic carbonate solvents either currently in use or being considered by the Li-ion battery industry. The ability of this device to accurately dispense computer-controlled mixtures of often highly volatile solvents was validated by comparing the intended formulations against data collected by gas-chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis which yielded results within 3.5% of each other. Key to the success of this powerful combinatorial strategy was the use of temperature-controlled reservoirs to decrease the vapor pressure of the solvents involved, as well as the selection of an appropriate solvent and technique to prevent solvent mixing during the aspiration-delivery steps.