Investigation of Boron-Based Ionic Liquids for Energy Applications

Abstract

As a result of its electron-deficient nature, boron is utilized as the building block of ionic liquids (ILs) in energy applications (EAs) by composing a number of anions, cations, and negatively charged clusters chemically, electrochemically, and thermally. Anionic boron clusters, for example, feature distinctive polycentric bonding and are an important component of low-viscosity room temperature ILs (RTILs) utilized in electrochemical devices. In this context, recent breakthroughs in the synthesis of boron-containing ILs and various materials derived from them provide a powerful opportunity for further investigation in the field of energy research to improve and develop the properties of these boron-based ILs (BBILs). This review has provided a brief summary of boron atom or molecule-based ILs with unique features that make them ideal candidates for particular EAs. This perspective can guide further research and development of the unique properties of green and halogen-free BBILs.