Cyano Ester as Solvent for High Voltage Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitors

Computational screening is a powerful tool used to identify solvents for application in EDLC electrolytes. One of the solvents recently introduced by this method, 3-cyanopropionic acid methyl ester, is herein successfully tested as electrolyte in combination with the salt 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate ([Pyr14][BF4]). High salt concentrations, as well as operative voltages of 3.0 V are possible with this combination, proving that this new solvent is indeed a promising new candidate for a new class of electrolyte materials for EDLCs.