Engineering Porous Liquids for Enhanced Ion Mobility and Stable Battery Electrolytes

Beyond traditional electrolytes, innovative electrolytes with molecular porosity to selectively embed ions can provide a protective shield to increase their mobility for enhanced battery efficiency. The molecular structure of these porous liquid-based electrolytes (PLEs) can be designed to provide permanent, empty, and selective porous media. In this Perspective, we show the potential and design principles of porous liquids (PLs) that can enable their incorporation into all ion batteries. The porous structure of PLs increases their surface area exposure to ions for their selective shielding from dendrite formation, enhancing their mobility/conductivity, thus also addressing challenges with thermal instability and safety risks associated with conventional electrolytes. This work proposes a roadmap for PLE development, emphasizing molecular design, target mechanisms, and computational studies aligned with specific battery chemistries to enhance the energy density and extended cycle life.