Next Generation Processes for Carbonate Electrolytes for Battery Applications

Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is a promising electrolyte solvent for lithium battery applications due to its inherent safety and robustness. Despite the enormous promise of its industrial use, this chemical is currently entirely imported from China. Indigenous manufacture of DMC will enormously benefit not only the American lithium battery industry but also other industrial processes that use DMC as a methylating agent and fuel additive. Existing processes of DMC synthesis either use toxic materials or require improvements in terms of yield. Use of inexpensive raw materials and benign reaction conditions will enable easy manufacture of DMC within the country and eliminate reliance on imports. Catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide and methanol is being increasingly considered for the process, but yields have not been encouraging enough for industrial manufacture. MMI proposes a three-pronged approach for the development of an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of DMC from CO2 and methanol. A core-shell bimetallic catalyst on mesoporous support will be used in a pervaporation reactor to enhance DMC synthesis efficiency. The catalyst system developed will be extensively tested to ascertain and optimize synthesis of DMC from methanol and carbon dioxide.