Ionic conductivity of deep eutectic solvents: the role of orientational dynamics and glassy freezing

Abstract

We have performed a thorough examination of the reorientational relaxation dynamics and the ionic charge transport of three typical deep eutectic solvents, ethaline, glyceline and reline, by using broadband dielectric spectroscopy. Our experiments cover a broad temperature range from the low-viscosity liquid down to the deeply supercooled state, allowing us to investigate the significant influence of glassy freezing on the ionic charge transport in these systems. In addition, we provide evidence for a close coupling of the ionic conductivity in these materials to reorientational dipolar motions, which should be considered when searching for deep eutectic solvents optimized for electrochemical applications.