Roadmap on ionic liquid crystal electrolytes for energy storage devices

The current organic liquid electrolytes used in electrochemical energy systems cause rapid performance degradation and even combustion. The advancement of new electrolytes with exceptional safety and electrochemical performance is crucial in addressing these challenges. Recently developed ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) offer promising opportunities for tailoring ion transport channels through modified nano segregated structures, thereby ensuring excellent operating safety and combining the advantageous properties of ionic liquids and liquid crystals. This review focuses on investigating the ion conductive properties and operational mechanisms of ILC electrolytes for energy storage and conversion devices, which play a pivotal role in the development of superior electrolytes. The review critically analyzes the recent development and fundamental properties electrochemical interaction framework of ILC electrolytes applied in energy storage devices. Particular attention is given to elucidating the mechanism of ILC and phase formation, past decade fabrication of energy storage device with ILC electrolytes, emphasizing their capacity for ion redistribution and exceptional stability. Additionally, the review addresses the drawback, limitation, commercialization, challenges and provides future perspective for the growth of ILC electrolytes in the field of energy storage.