Electrochemistry in non-conventional electrolytes

Dear Editor,

From energy storage and conversion devices to electroplating and corrosion control, electrochemistry is all around us and continues to evolve, pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers. One such exciting avenue is the exploration of electrochemistry in non-conventional electrolytes, which is the topic of this Special Collection containing five excellent contributions from the groups of Bingwei Mao and Jiawei Yang, Björn Braunschweig, Paramaconi Rodríguez, Ludwig Kibler, and Kenta Motobayashi.

Aqueous electrolytes have been the preferred, and remain the most frequent, choice for electrochemical systems, due to the ubiquity and ease of handling of water. However, attention is increasingly turning to non-conventional electrolytes, which include ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, organic solvents, molten salts, and solid electrolytes. They all present unique opportunities but also challenge our current understanding of the structure of electrode-electrolyte interfaces and how it affects electrochemical processes.

This special collection aims to highlight recent advancements, novel insights, and emerging trends in electrochemistry conducted using non-conventional electrolytes. The articles included herein provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in our fundamental understanding of this rapidly evolving field. The contributions cover the structure of the electrode-electrolyte interface in ionic liquids and deep eutectics, as well as other non-conventional electrolytes (organic solvents, solid electrolytes, and brines), and applications like CO₂ reduction and cathodic corrosion.

The applications of non-conventional electrolytes are far-reaching. Energy storage devices have experienced significant advancements through the exploration of alternative electrolyte systems. In fact, lithium-ion batteries and other advanced batteries and supercapacitors require the use of non-aqueous solvents. The investigation of electrochemical processes at the nanoscale in non-aqueous environments has also opened up new avenues for catalysis and sensor development. Furthermore, the field of electrochemical synthesis has been revolutionized by the use of non-conventional electrolytes, enabling the synthesis of complex organic compounds and the development of sustainable chemical processes. The articles compiled in this special collection provide valuable insights into the fundamental principles governing electrochemical phenomena in these systems and pave the way for future breakthroughs and applications. We hope that they will serve as a valuable resource for scientists, engineers, and students interested in this fascinating field.

We would like to close this Editorial by expressing our heartfelt gratitude to all the authors for their exceptional contributions and to the reviewers for their meticulous evaluation and constructive feedback. Their expertise and dedication have ensured the quality and relevance of the articles in this collection.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.