Electrolyte compositions and electrochemical devices using the same

Abstract

Described herein are electrolyte compositions include a metal salt, such as a lithium salt, and a multifunctional group solvent. Also described herein are electrolyte compositions include a metal salt, such as a lithium salt, and a solvent system including a multifunctional group solvent and a co-solvent. Multifunctional group solvents according to the disclosure include at least two organic electron-donating functional groups.

Description

ELECTROLYTE COMPOSITIONS AND ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES USING THE SAMECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 601,319, filed November 21, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 677,304, filed July 30, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The demand for a long life, high-energy-density and high-power-density rechargeable battery with the ability of being charged and discharged at a fast rate is ever increasing in electronics, electric / hybrid vehicles, aerospace / drones, submarines, and other industrial, military, and consumer applications. Lithium ion batteries are examples of rechargeable batteries in the above-mentioned applications. However, the need for better performance and cycling capability have not been filled with lithium ion batteries as the technology has matured.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] In general, disclosed herein are new electrolyte compositions for use in electrochemical devices, such as rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. In electrochemical devices, the electrolyte is responsible for transporting the positively charged lithium ions between the cathode and anode. Various non-limiting aspects of the present invention are as follows.

[0004] A first aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition comprising one or more metal salts, and one or more multifunctional group solvents, wherein each of the one or more multifunctional group solvents comprise at least two organic electrondonating functional groups.

[0005] A second aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the first aspect, wherein each of the one or more multifunctional group solvents comprise at least two different types or classes of organic electron-donating functional groups.

[0006] A third aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the second aspect, wherein the at least two different types or classes of organic electron-donating functional groups are selected from the group consisting of ethers, esters, carbonates, ketones, carboxylates, amines, thioethers, sulfones, sultones, sulfides, thioesters, acrylates, methacrylates, carbamates, thiocarbamates, thiocarbonates, amides, imides, imines, alkoxysilanes, and phosphonates.

[0007] A fourth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the second or third aspect, wherein the at least two different types of organic electron-donating functional groups are selected from the group consisting of ethers, esters, carbonates, ketones and carboxylates.

[0008] A fifth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the first through fourth aspects, wherein the one or more metals salts are lithium salts.

[0009] A sixth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the fifth aspect, wherein the one or more lithium salts are selected from the group consisting of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI), lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiODFB), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPFe), lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and lithium perchlorate (LiCICh).

[0010] A seventh aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the electrolyte composition has a combined lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from 0.4 moles / liter (M) to about 6 M.

[0011] An eighth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the electrolyte composition has a combined lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from 0.5 M to about 2 M.

[0012] A ninth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the electrolyte composition has a combined lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from 0.8 to about 1.6 M.

[0013] A tenth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the first through ninth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is any one of methyl methoxyacetate, methyl trimethoxyacetate, methyl 3 -methoxypropionate, bis(2-methoxyethyl) carbonate, methyl 3,3- dimethoxypropionate, ethyl 3, 3 -di ethoxypropionate, ethyl pyruvate, methyl 2- methoxypropionate, methyl 4-methoxybutyrate, methyl 4,4-dimethoxybutyrate, methyl undecafluoro-2-methyl-3 -oxahexanoate, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, di ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol diacetate, propylene glycol diacetate, dimethyl 2,5- di oxahexanedi oate, 2-methoxyethyl methyl carbonate, bi s(2-methoxy ethyl) carbonate, (4R)-4- (methoxymethyl)-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, 4-(butoxymethyl)-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, (2-oxo-l,3- dioxolan-4-yl)methyl 2-methylpropanoate, bis(2-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl) carbonate, ethylene glycol bis-(methylcarbonate), 4-(hydroxymethyl)-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, adipic acidmonoethyl ester, L-glutamic acid 5-methyl ester, dimethyl itaconate, dimethyl succinate, suberic acid monomethyl ester, N-acetyl-L-cysteine methyl ester, 2-hydroxysuccinic acid methyl ester, diethyl mal onate, diethyl maleate, (E)-3-methoxy-2-butenoic acid methyl ester, ethyl glutaryl chloride, methyl glutaryl chloride, acetoacetic ester, diethyl acetamidomalonate, diethyl methylmalonate, diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate, ethyl diethoxyacetate, monoethyl fumarate, monomethyl adipate, methyl 3-(methylmercapto)propionate, ethyl 3- (methylthio)propionate, methyl 3-(ethylthio)propionate methyl 3-(dimethylamino)propionate, ethyl 3-(benzylsulfonyl)propionate, ethyl 3-(dibutylamino)propionate, ethyl 3- (dipropylamino)propionate, 2-[2-(propionyloxy)ethoxy]ethyl propionate or any combination thereof.

[0014] An eleventh aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the first through ninth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is any one of methyl trans-3-methoxyacrylate, 2- (diethylamino)ethyl acrylate, 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, (2-ethoxyethyl) methacrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate, di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether acrylate, 3-(dimethylamino)propyl acrylate, ethyl 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)acrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, 2-(methylthio)ethyl methacrylate, di(ethylene glycol) diacrylate tetra(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, tri(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate, 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl acetoacetate, 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate or any combination thereof.

[0015] A twelfth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the first through ninth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is any one of (3-acetoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, acetoxyethyltrimethoxysilane, acetoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, acetoxymethyltri ethoxy silane, di -tertbutoxy diacetoxy silane, (3- acryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, ureidopropyltrimethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane, acryloxymethyltrimethoxy silane, 3 -(trimethoxy silyl)propyl methacrylate, (3- trimethoxysilyl)propyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropionate, N,N’-bis(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)urea, (2-diethylphosphatoethyl)triethoxysilane, N-(triethoxysilyl)-O-polyethylene oxide urethane,O-(methacryloxyethyl)-N-(3 -tri ethoxy silylpropyl)carbamate, N, N-di octyl -N’-(triethoxysilylpropyl)urea or any combination thereof.

[0016] A thirteenth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the first through ninth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is any one of 1 -methoxy-2-(m ethyl sulfonyl)ethane, Demeton- S-methyl-sulfon, 2-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide, N-methyl-2-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide, 2- (m ethyl amino)- 1 -(methyl sulfonyl)ethane, bi s(m ethyl sulfonyl)m ethane, 3-(methylsulfonyl)butyl methanesulfonate, methanesulfonylacetone or any combination thereof.

[0017] A fourteenth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the first through ninth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is a lactone.

[0018] A fifteenth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the first through ninth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is a lactone selected grom the group consisting of 4-methoxy- 2(5H)-furanone, L-(+)-gulono-l,4-lactone, N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone, 5- gluconolactone, N-butyryl-DL-homoserine lactone, D-glucaric acid-l,4-lactone, N-hexanoyl- L-homoserine lactone, isocitric acid lactone, N-octanoyl-DL-homoserine lactone, N-myristoyl- DL-homoserine lactone, L-galactono-l,4-lactone, 5-hydroxy-2,3-norbomanedicarboxylic acid gamma-lactone, O-glycero-L-manno-deptonic-gamma-lactone, methyl 2-pyrone-3- carboxylate, 2-(2 -hydroxy ethyl)-2-isopentylglutaric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2- (2 -hydroxy ethyl)-hexanoic acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-valeric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid gamma-lactone, 2- ethyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-glutaric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)- 5-methylhexanoic acid gamma-lactone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-(3-oxobutyl)-valeric acid gamma lactone, dehydroacetic acid, (+)-garcinia acid, D-(-)-isoascorbic acid, erythorbic acid and any combination thereof.

[0019] A sixteenth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the first through ninth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is a lactam.

[0020] A seventeenth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the first through ninth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is a lactam selected grom the group consisting of 2-pyrrolidone- 5-carboxylic acid, butyl L-pyroglutamate, L-pyroglutamic acid and combinations thereof.

[0021] An eighteenth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrochemical device comprising an electrolyte composition according to any one of the first through seventeenth aspects.

[0022] A nineteenth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrochemical device according to the eighteenth aspect, wherein the electrochemical device is a rechargeable battery.

[0023] A twentieth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition comprising one or more metal salts, and a solvent system comprising one or more multifunctional group solvents and one or more co-solvents, wherein each of the one or more multifunctional group solvents comprise at least two organic electron-donating functional groups.

[0024] A twenty-first aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the twentieth aspect, wherein each of the one or more multifunctional group solvents comprise at least two different types or classes of organic electron-donating functional groups.

[0025] A twenty-second aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the twenty-first aspect, wherein the at least two different types or classes of organic electron-donating functional groups are selected from the group consisting of ethers, esters, carbonates, ketones, carboxylates, amines, thioethers, sulfones, sultones, sulfides, thioesters, acrylates, methacrylates, carbamates, thiocarbamates, thiocarbonates, amides, imides, imines, alkoxysilanes, and phosphonates.

[0026] A twenty -third aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the twenty-first or twenty-second aspect, wherein the at least two different types or classes of organic electron-donating functional groups are selected from the group consisting of ethers, esters, carbonates, ketones, and carboxylates.

[0027] A twenty-fourth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the twentieth through twenty-third aspects, wherein the one or more metals salts are lithium salts.

[0028] A twenty -fifth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the twenty -fourth aspect, wherein the one or more lithium salts are selected from the group consisting of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI), lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiODFB), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPFe), lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and lithium perchlorate (LiCICh).

[0029] A twenty-sixth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth aspect, wherein the electrolyte composition has a combined lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from 0.4 moles / liter (M) to about 6 M.

[0030] A twenty-seventh aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth aspect, wherein the electrolyte composition has a combined lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from 0.5 M to about 2 M.

[0031] A twenty-eighth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth aspect, wherein the electrolyte composition has a combined lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from 0.8 to about 1.6 M.

[0032] A twenty-ninth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the twentieth through twenty-eighth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is any one of methyl methoxyacetate, methyl trimethoxyacetate, methyl 3 -methoxypropionate, bi s(2-methoxy ethyl) carbonate, methyl 3, 3 -dimethoxypropionate, ethyl 3, 3 -di ethoxy propionate, ethyl pyruvate, methyl 2- methoxypropionate, methyl 4-methoxybutyrate, methyl 4,4-dimethoxybutyrate, methyl undecafluoro-2-methyl-3 -oxahexanoate, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, di ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol diacetate, propylene glycol diacetate, dimethyl 2,5- di oxahexanedi oate, 2-methoxyethyl methyl carbonate, bi s(2-methoxy ethyl) carbonate, (4R)-4- (methoxymethyl)-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, 4-(butoxymethyl)-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, (2-oxo-l,3- dioxolan-4-yl)methyl 2-methylpropanoate, bis(2-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl) carbonate, ethylene glycol bis-(methylcarbonate), 4-(hydroxymethyl)-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, adipic acid monoethyl ester, L-glutamic acid 5-methyl ester, dimethyl itaconate, dimethyl succinate, suberic acid monomethyl ester, N-acetyl-L-cysteine methyl ester, 2-hydroxysuccinic acid methyl ester, diethyl mal onate, diethyl maleate, (E)-3-methoxy-2-butenoic acid methyl ester, ethyl glutaryl chloride, methyl glutaryl chloride, acetoacetic ester, diethyl acetamidomalonate, diethyl methylmalonate, diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate, ethyl diethoxyacetate, monoethyl fumarate, monomethyl adipate, methyl 3-(methylmercapto)propionate, ethyl 3- (methylthio)propionate, methyl 3-(ethylthio)propionate methyl 3-(dimethylamino)propionate, ethyl 3-(benzylsulfonyl)propionate, ethyl 3-(dibutylamino)propionate, ethyl 3- (dipropylamino)propionate, 2-[2-(propionyloxy)ethoxy]ethyl propionate or any combination thereof.

[0033] A thirtieth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the twentieth through twenty-eighth aspects, wherein one or more ofthe one or more multifunctional group solvents is any one of methyl trans-3-methoxyacrylate, 2-(diethylamino)ethyl acrylate, 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, (2-ethoxyethyl) methacrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate, di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether acrylate, 3-(dimethylamino)propyl acrylate, ethyl 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)acrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, 2-(methylthio)ethyl methacrylate, di(ethylene glycol) diacrylate tetra(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, tri(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate, 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl acetoacetate, 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate or any combination thereof.

[0034] A thirty -first aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the twentieth through twenty-eighth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is any one of (3- acetoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, acetoxyethyltrimethoxysilane, acetoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, acetoxymethyltriethoxysilane, di-tertbutoxydiacetoxysilane, (3-acryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, ureidopropyltrimethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane, acryloxymethyltrimethoxy silane, 3 -(trimethoxy silyl)propyl methacrylate, (3- trimethoxysilyl)propyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropionate, N,N’-bis(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)urea, (2-diethylphosphatoethyl)triethoxysilane, N-(triethoxysilyl)-O-polyethylene oxide urethane, O-(methacryloxyethyl)-N-(3 -tri ethoxy silylpropyl)carbamate, N, N-di octyl -N’-(triethoxysilylpropyl)urea or any combination thereof.

[0035] A thirty-second aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the twentieth through twenty-eighth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is any one of l-methoxy-2- (m ethyl sulfonyl)ethane, Demeton-S-methyl-sulfon, 2-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide, N-methyl- 2-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide, 2-(methylamino)-l-(methylsulfonyl)ethane, bi s(m ethyl sulfonyl)methane, 3 -(methyl sulfonyl)butyl methanesulfonate, methanesulfonylacetone or any combination thereof.

[0036] A thirty-third aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the twentieth through twenty-eighth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is a lactone.

[0037] A thirty-fourth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the twentieth through twenty-eighth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is a lactone selected grom the group consisting of 4-methoxy-2(5H)-furanone, L-(+)-gulono-l,4-lactone, N-(3 -oxohexanoy l)-L-homoserine lactone, 5-gluconolactone, N-butyryl-DL-homoserine lactone, D-glucaric acid-l,4-lactone, N- hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone, isocitric acid lactone, N-octanoyl-DL-homoserine lactone, N- myristoyl-DL-homoserine lactone, L-galactono-l,4-lactone, 5 -hydroxy-2, 3- norbomanedicarboxylic acid gamma-lactone, O-glycero-L-manno-deptonic-gamma-lactone, methyl 2-pyrone-3 -carboxylate, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-isopentylglutaric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-hexanoic acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(2- hydroxyethyl)-valeric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-glutaric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl- 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid gamma-lactone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-(3- oxobutyl)-valeric acid gamma lactone, dehydroacetic acid, (+)-garcinia acid, D-(-)-isoascorbic acid, erythorbic acid and any combination thereof.

[0038] A thirty-sixth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the twentieth through twenty-eighth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is a lactam.

[0039] A thirty-seventh aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the twentieth through twenty-eighth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents is a lactam selected grom the group consisting of 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, butyl L-pyroglutamate, L-pyroglutamic acid and combinations thereof.

[0040] A thirty-eighth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the twentieth through thirty-seventh aspects, wherein the one or more co-solvents is selected from the group consisting of bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ether (BTFE), di ethyl carb onate (DEC) dimethylcarbonate (DMC), dimethoxyethane (DME), ethylene carbonate (EC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), methyl 2,2,2- trifluoroethyl carbonate (FEMC), methyl fluoroacetate (MFA), methyl 3,3,3- trifluoropropi onate (MTFP), propylene carbonate (PC), l,l,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,3,3- tetrafluoropropyl ether (TFE), and any combination thereof.

[0041] A thirty -ninth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the any one of the twentieth through thirty-eighth aspects, wherein the solventsystem has a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 10:90 to about 90: 10.

[0042] A fortieth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the any one of the twentieth through thirty-eighth aspects, wherein the solvent system has a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 20:80 to about 80:20.

[0043] A forty-first aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the any one of the twentieth through thirty-eighth aspects, wherein the solvent system has a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 30:70 to about 70:30.

[0044] A forty-second aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the any one of the twentieth through thirty-eighth aspects, wherein the solvent system has a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 40:60 to about 60:40.

[0045] A forty-third aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the any one of the twentieth through thirty-eighth aspects, wherein the solvent system has a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio of about 50:50.

[0046] A forty-fourth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrochemical device comprising an electrolyte composition according to any one of the twentieth through forty- third aspects.

[0047] A forty-fifth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrochemical device according to the forty-fourth aspect, wherein the electrochemical device is a rechargeable battery.

[0048] A forty-sixth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the any one of the first through seventeenth and twentieth through forty-third aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents has a chemical structure according to Formula (1) as described elsewhere herein.

[0049] A forty-seventh aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the any one of the first through seventeenth and twentieth through forty -third aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents has a chemical structure according to Formula (2) as described elsewhere herein.

[0050] A forty-eighth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to the any one of the first through seventeenth and twentieth through forty-thirdaspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents has a chemical structure according to Formula (3) as described elsewhere herein.

[0051] A forty-ninth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrochemical device comprising an electrolyte composition according to any one of forty-sixth through forty-eighth aspects.

[0052] A fiftieth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrochemical device according to the forty-ninth aspect, wherein the electrochemical device is a rechargeable battery.

[0053] A fifty-first aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the first through eighteenth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents comprises at least one halogen group.

[0054] A fifty-second aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the first through eighteenth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents comprises at least one fluorine group.

[0055] A fifty-third aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrochemical device comprising an electrolyte composition according to the fifty-first or fifty-second aspect.

[0056] A fifty-fourth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrochemical device according to the fifty -third aspect, wherein the electrochemical device is a rechargeable battery.

[0057] A fifty-fifth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the twentieth through forty-eighth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents comprises at least one halogen group.

[0058] A fifty-sixth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrolyte composition according to any one of the twentieth through forty-eighth aspects, wherein one or more of the one or more multifunctional group solvents comprises at least one fluorine group.

[0059] A fifty-seventh aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrochemical device comprising an electrolyte composition according to the fifty-fifth or fifty-sixth second aspect.

[0060] A fifty-eighth aspect of the disclosure can be described as an electrochemical device according to the fifty-seventh aspect, wherein the electrochemical device is a rechargeable battery.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary electrochemical device according to various aspects of the disclosure.

[0062] FIG. 2 is a graphical display of a charge / discharge curve for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 16 (Table 1); the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0063] FIG. 3 is a graphical display of a charge / discharge curve for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 17 (Table 1); the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0064] FIG. 4 is a graphical display of a charge / discharge curve for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 18 (Table 1); the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0065] FIG. 5 is a graphical display of a charge / discharge curve for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 19 (Table 1); the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0066] FIG. 6 is a graphical display of a charge / discharge curve for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 20 (Table 1); the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0067] FIG. 7 is a graphical display of a voltage v. discharge specific capacity of an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 19 (Table 1) while subjecting to 1C pulses every 5 seconds at 0°C; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0068] FIG. 8 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 21 (Table 1) over 31 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0069] FIG. 9 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 22 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0070] FIG. 10 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 23 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0071] FIG. 11 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 24 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0072] FIG. 12 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 25 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0073] FIG. 13 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 26 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0074] FIG. 14 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 27 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0075] FIG. 15 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 28 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0076] FIG. 16 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 29 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0077] FIG. 17 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 30 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0078] FIG. 18 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 21 (Table 1) over 65 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 4.

[0079] FIG. 19 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 31 (Table 1) over 65 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 4.

[0080] FIG. 20 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; darkcircles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 32 (Table 1) over 65 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 4.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] In conjunction with the specific examples, the present disclosure will be further described below. Unless otherwise specified, the experimental methods in the following examples are all conventional; the reagents and materials are all available from commercial sources.

[0082] The terms used herein are defined as follows. If a definition set forth in the present application and a definition set forth later in a non-provisional application claiming priority from the present provisional application are in conflict, the definition in the non-provisional application shall control the meaning of the terms.

[0083] In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "a" (or "an"), as well as the terms "one or more," and "at least one" can be used interchangeably herein. In certain aspects, the term "a" or "an" means "single." In other aspects, the term "a" or "an" includes "two or more" or "multiple."

[0084] Furthermore, "and / or" where used herein is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of the two specified features or components with or without the other. Thus, the term "and / or" as used in a phrase such as "A and / or B" herein is intended to include "A and B," "A or B," "A" (alone), and "B" (alone). Likewise, the term "and / or" as used in a phrase such as "A, B, and / or C" is intended to encompass each of the following aspects: A, B, and C; A, B, or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone); and C (alone).

[0085] The terms "about" or "approximately" means an acceptable error for a particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, which depends in part on how the value is measured or determined. In certain embodiments, the term "about" or "approximately" means within 1, 2, 3, or 4 standard deviations. In certain embodiments, the term "about" or "approximately" means within 50%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, or 0.05% of a given value or range.

[0086] Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms "comprise," "comprises," and "comprising" are used on the basis and clear understanding that they are to be interpreted inclusively, rather than exclusively, and that Applicant intends each of those words to be so interpreted in construing this patent, including the claims below.

[0087] FIG. l is a schematic illustration an exemplary electrochemical device in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 1 provides an example of a coin cell battery 100. The battery 100 includes atop stainless case 102, wave spring 104, cathode 106, separator 108, anode 110 and bottom stainless steel case 112. An electrolyte 114 travels between the cathode 106 and anode 110 during operation of the battery 100.

[0088] In some instances, the anode 110, may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more alkali metals such as lithium, sodium and potassium. In some instances, the anode 110 may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more alkaline earth metals such as magnesium, calcium and barium. In some instances, the anode 110 may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more Group IIIA elements such as aluminum. In some instances, the anode 110 may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more Group IV elements such as carbon and silicon. In some instances, the anode 110 may be an oxidebased anode such as a lithium-titanate-oxide.

[0089] In some instances, the cathode 106 may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a carbonaceous material and one or more of the chalcogens oxygen, sulfur, selenium and tellurium. In some instances, the cathode 106 may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LNMC). In some instances, the cathode 106 may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of lithium iron phosphate (LFP). In some instances, the cathode 106 may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of lithium nickel manganese aluminum oxide (LNCA). In some instances, the cathode 106 may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of lithium cobalt oxide (LCO).

[0090] In some instances, the cathode 106 may be comprised of a sulfur-carbon composite with a binder, characterized by the weight percentage or loading of sulfur. The anode 110 may comprise lithium metal (e.g., a 250 pm lithium disc or foil), a lithiated graphite material, or a lithiated silicon carbon material. The separator 108 may be comprised of any suitable material such as a nonwoven fiber (cellulose, cotton, nylon, polyesters, glass), a polymer film (for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, poly (tetrafluoroethylene), polyvinyl chloride), or a ceramic. Embodiments disclosed herein are primarily directed to the compositions of the electrolyte 114. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments are not limited to the coin cell battery shown in FIG 1. For example, electrolyte compositions according to the disclosure may be used in primary batteries, secondary batteries, electrochemical capacitors The principles, compositions, and engineering presented herein are applicable to multiple electrochemical devices.

[0091] Disclosed herein are novel electrolyte compositions for use in electrochemical devices. Electrolyte compositions according to various aspects of the disclosure may comprise a metal salt and a solvent. In instances where the electrochemical device is a lithium-based electrochemical device, such as a lithium-ion battery, the metal salt is one or a combination of lithium salts. Suitable metal salts include, but are not limited to, lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI), lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiODFB), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPFe), lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and lithium perchlorate (LiCICh). In some instances, electrolyte compositions according to various aspects of the disclosure comprising one or more lithium salts and a solvent may have a combined lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from about 0.4 moles / liter (M) to about 6 M, alternatively from about 0.5 M to about 5 M, alternatively from about 0.6 M to about 4 M, alternatively from about 0.7 M to about 3 M, alternatively from about 0.8 M to about 2 M, alternatively from about 0.9 M to about 1.5 M, alternatively from about 1.0 M to about 1.4 M, alternatively from about 1.1 M to about 1.3 M, and alternatively about 1.2 M.

[0092] The solvent may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more multifunctional group solvents. In some instances, suitable multifunctional group solvents have a chemical structure according to Formula (1):

[0093] In some instances, suitable multifunctional group solvents have a chemical structure according to Formula (2):

[0094] In multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (1) and Formula (2), Ri, R2 and R3 may each individually be a C1-C100 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C100 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated), a C1-C100 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C100 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that includes one or more atomselected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As, or a C1-C100 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (1) and Formula (2), Ri, R2 and R3 may each individually be a C1-C50 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C50 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated), a C1-C50 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C50 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As, or a C1-C50 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (1) and Formula (2), Ri, R2 and R3 may each individually be a C1-C25 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C25 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated), a C1-C25 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C25 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As, or a C1-C25 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents the have a chemical structure according to Formula (1) and Formula (2), Ri, R2 and R3 may each individually be a Ci-Cis linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a Ci-Cis linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated), a Ci-Cis linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a Ci-Cis linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As, or a Ci-Cis linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (1) and Formula (2), Ri, R2 and R3 may each individually be a Ci-Cis linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C12 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated), a C1-C12 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C12 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As, or aC1-C12 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (1) and Formula (2), Ri, R2 and R3 may each individually be a Ci-Cs linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a Ci-Cs linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated), a Ci-Cs linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a Ci-Cs linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As, or a Ci-Cs linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, each of Ri, R2 and R3 have the same chemical structure. In some instances, two of Ri, R2 and R3 have the same chemical structure. In some instances, at least one of R2 and R3 may be hydrogen (H) in Formula (1). In some instances, at least one of Ri and R3 may be hydrogen (H) in Formula (2). In some instances, R3 may be omitted from Formula (1) and Formula (2).

[0095] In multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (1) and Formula (2), Zi, Z2 and Z3 may each individually be O, S, N, N-R’, P-R’, or P(-R’)2 or PR’R’ ’ , where R’ and R’ ’ are H or a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon. When one or both of R’ and R” are linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbons, they may be C1-C100, alternatively C1-C50, alternatively C1-C25, alternatively Ci-Cis, alternatively, C1-C12, and alternatively Ci-Cs linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon. In some instances, the linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon(s) may be fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated). In some instances, the linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon(s) may include one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, the linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon(s) may be fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and may include one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As.

[0096] In multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (1) and Formula (2), Y is C, S, or P-R or P-OR (where R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon, a halogen, or H). In some instances, Y is C and Zi is N. In some instances, Y is C and Zi is O. In some instances, Y is C and Zi is S. In some instances, Y is S, and there are two Zi groups and Zi is O. In some instances, Y is P-R or P-OR and Zi is O.

[0097] In some instances, suitable multifunctional group solvents have a chemical structure according to Formula (3):

[0098] In multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (3), Ri, R2, R3 and R4 may each individually be a C1-C100 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C100 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated), a C1-C100 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C100 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As, or a C1-C100 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (3), Ri, R2, R3 and R4 may each individually be a C1-C50 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C50 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated), a C1-C50 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C50 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As, or a C1-C50 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (3), Ri, R2, R3 and R4 may each individually be a Ci- C25 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C25 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated), a C1-C25 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C25 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As, or a C1-C25 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (3), Ri, R2, R3 and R4 may each individually be a Ci-Cis linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a Ci-Cis linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated), a Ci-Cis linear orbranched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a Ci-Cis linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As, or a Ci-Cis linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (3), Ri, R2, R3 and R4 may each individually be a Ci-Cis linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C12 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated), a C1-C12 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a C1-C12 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As, or a C1-C12 linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (3), Ri, R2, R3 and R4 may each individually be a Ci-Cs linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a Ci-Cs linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated), a Ci-Cs linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon, a Ci-Cs linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As, or a Ci-Cs linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon that is fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and includes one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, each of Ri, R2, R3 and R4 have the same chemical structure. In some instances, two of Ri, R2, R3 and R4have the same chemical structure. In some instances, three of Ri, R2, R3 and R4have the same chemical structure. In some instances, at least one of R? and R4 may be hydrogen (H) in Formula (1). In some instances, R3 may be omitted from Formula (3). In some instances, R4 may be omitted from Formula (3). In some instances, R3 and R4 may be omitted from Formula (3).

[0099] In multifunctional group solvents having a chemical structure according to Formula (1) and Formula (2), Zi, Z2, Z3, Z4 and Z5 may each individually be O, S, N, N-R’, P-R’, or P(- R’)2 or PR’R”, where R’ and R” are H or a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon. When one or both of R’ and R” are linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbons, they may be C1-C100, alternatively C1-C50, alternatively C1-C25, alternatively Ci-Cis, alternatively, C1-C12, and alternatively Ci-Cs linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon. In some instances, the linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon(s) may be fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated). In some instances, the linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon(s) may includeone or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As. In some instances, the linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon(s) may be fully or partially halogenated (for example, fluorinated) and may include one or more atom selected from the group consisting of B, Al, Si, Ge, Sn O, S, Se, N, P, and As.

[0100] In multifunctional group solvents that have a chemical structure according to Formula (3), Y is C, S, or P-R or P-OR (where R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon, a halogen, or H). In some instances, Y is C and Zi is N. In some instances, Y is C and Zi is O. In some instances, Y is C and Zi is S. In some instances, Y is S, and there are two Zi groups and Zi is O. In some instances, Y is P-R or P-OR and Zi is O.

[0101] In general, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities. Without being bound to any particular theory, it is believed that the use of multifunctional group solvents according to comprising at least two organic functionalities favorably modulates the transport properties of lithium ions an electrochemical device. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents have a chemical structure that include two organic electron-donating functionalities. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents have a chemical structure that include three organic electron-donating functionalities. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents have a chemical structure that include up to at least two and up to five organic electron-donating functionalities. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents have a chemical structure that include up to at least two and up to ten organic electron-donating functionalities.

[0102] In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is an ether. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is an ester (or carboxylate ester). In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a secondary or tertiary amine. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electrondonating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a thioether. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a sulfonyl or sulfone. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donatingfunctionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a sultone. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a sulfide. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a thioester. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a carbonate. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is an acrylate. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a methacrylate. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a ketone. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a carboxylate. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a carbamate. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a thiocarbamate. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a thiocarbonate. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is an amide. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is an imide. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is an imine. In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is an alkoxysilane. In some instances, multifunctional group solventsaccording to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a phosphonate.

[0103] In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is an ester, an ether, a carboxylate, or a carbonate. Suitable examples include, but are not limited to, methyl methoxy acetate, methyl trimethoxy acetate, methyl 3- methoxypropionate, bi s(2 -methoxy ethyl) carbonate, methyl 3,3-dimethoxypropionate, ethyl 3, 3 -di ethoxypropionate, ethyl pyruvate, methyl 2-m ethoxy propionate, methyl 4- methoxybutyrate, methyl 4,4-dimethoxybutyrate, methyl undecafluoro-2-methyl-3- oxahexanoate, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol diacetate, propylene glycol diacetate, dimethyl 2,5-dioxahexanedioate, 2- methoxyethyl methyl carbonate, bi s(2-methoxy ethyl) carbonate, (4R)-4-(methoxymethyl)-l,3- dioxolan-2-one, 4-(butoxymethyl)-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, (2-oxo-l,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl 2- methylpropanoate, bis(2-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl) carbonate, ethylene glycol bis- (methylcarbonate), 4-(hydroxymethyl)-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, adipic acid monoethyl ester, L- glutamic acid 5-methyl ester, dimethyl itaconate, dimethyl succinate, suberic acid monomethyl ester, N-acetyl-L-cysteine methyl ester, 2-hydroxysuccinic acid methyl ester, diethyl malonate, diethyl maleate, (E)-3-methoxy-2-butenoic acid methyl ester, ethyl glutaryl chloride, methyl glutaryl chloride, acetoacetic ester, diethyl acetamidomalonate, diethyl methylmalonate, diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate, ethyl diethoxyacetate, monoethyl fumarate, monomethyl adipate, methyl 3-(methylmercapto)propionate, ethyl 3-(methylthio)propionate, methyl 3- (ethylthio)propi onate methyl 3-(dimethylamino)propionate, ethyl 3-(benzylsulfonyl)propionate, ethyl 3-(dibutylamino)propionate, ethyl 3-(dipropylamino)propionate, and 2-[2-(propionyloxy)ethoxy]ethyl propionate.

[0104] In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is an acrylate or methacrylate. Suitable examples include, but are not limited to, methyl trans-3-methoxyacrylate, 2-(diethylamino)ethyl acrylate, 2- (diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, (2-ethoxyethyl) methacrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate, di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether acrylate, 3- (dimethylamino)propyl acrylate, ethyl 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)acrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, 1,6 -hexanediol diacrylate, 2-(methylthio)ethyl methacrylate, di(ethylene glycol)diacrylate tetra(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, tri(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate, 2- (methacryloyloxy)ethyl acetoacetate, 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

[0105] In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is an alkoxysilane. Suitable examples include, but are not limited to, (3- acetoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, acetoxyethyltrimethoxysilane, acetoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, acetoxymethyltriethoxysilane, di-tertbutoxydiacetoxysilane, (3-acryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, ureidopropyltrimethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane, acryloxymethyltrimethoxy silane, 3 -(trimethoxy silyl)propyl methacrylate, (3- trimethoxysilyl)propyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropionate, N,N’-bis(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)urea, (2-diethylphosphatoethyl)triethoxysilane, N-(triethoxysilyl)-O-polyethylene oxide urethane, O-(methacryloxyethyl)-N-(3 -tri ethoxy silylpropyl)carbamate, and N, N-di octyl -N’-(triethoxysilylpropyl)urea.

[0106] In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure comprise at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is a sulfonyl or sulfone. Suitable sulfonyls or sulfones include, but are not limited to, ethyl 2-methoxy ethyl sulfone, 1 -m ethoxy-2-(m ethyl sulfonyl)ethane, Demeton- S-methyl-sulfon, 2-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide, N-methyl-2-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide, 2- (m ethyl amino)- 1 -(methyl sulfonyl)ethane, bi s(m ethyl sulfonyl)m ethane, 3-(m ethyl sulfonyl)butyl methanesulfonate, and methanesulfonylacetone.

[0107] In some instances, a multifunctional group solvent according to various aspects of the disclosure may be a cyclic ester comprising at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is the ester group. Suitable cyclic esters include, but are not limited to, 4-m ethoxy -2(5J7)-furanone, L-(+)-gulono-l,4-lactone, N-(3- oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone, 5-gluconolactone, N-butyryl-DL-homoserine lactone, D- glucaric acid-l,4-lactone, N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone, isocitric acid lactone, N- octanoyl-DL-homoserine lactone, N-myristoyl-DL-homoserine lactone, L-galactono-1,4- lactone, 5-hydroxy-2,3-norbomanedicarboxylic acid gamma-lactone, O-glycero-L-manno- deptonic-gamma-lactone, methyl 2-pyrone-3 -carboxylate, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2- isopentylglutaric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-hexanoic acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-valeric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)- glutaric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-methylhexanoic acid gamma-lactone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-(3-oxobutyl)-valeric acid gamma lactone, dehydroacetic acid, (+)-garcinia acid, D-(-)-isoascorbic acid, and erythorbic acid.

[0108] In some instances, multifunctional group solvents according to various aspects of the disclosure may be a cyclic amide comprising at least two organic electron-donating functionalities, where one of the organic functionalities is the amide group. Suitable cyclic amides include, but are not limited to, 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, butyl L-pyroglutamate, and L-pyroglutamic acid.

[0109] In some instances, electrolyte compositions according to various aspects of the may comprise a metal salt and a solvent system. The metal salt may be as described elsewhere herein. The solvent system may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of one or more multifunctional group solvents (as described elsewhere herein) and one or more co-solvents (alternatively referred to herein as secondary solvents). Suitable co-solvents include, but are not limited to bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ether (BTFE), di ethyl carb onate (DEC) dimethylcarbonate (DMC), dimethoxyethane (DME), ethylene carbonate (EC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), methyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl carbonate (FEMC), methyl fluoroacetate (MFA), methyl 3,3,3-trifluoropropionate (MTFP), propylene carbonate (PC) and l,l,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (TFE).

[0110] In instances where the solvent system includes one or more multifunctional group solvents and one or more co-solvents, the solvent system may have a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 5:95 to about 95:5. In some instances, solvent systems according to various aspects of the disclosure have a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 10:90 to about 90: 10 and any ratio or ratio range therebetween. In some instances, solvent systems according to various aspects of the disclosure have a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 15:85 to about 85: 15 and any ratio or ratio range therebetween. In some instances solvent systems according to various aspects of the disclosure have a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 20:80 to about 80:20 and any ratio or ratio range therebetween. In some instances solvent systems according to various aspects of the disclosure have a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 25:75 to about 75:25 and any ratio or ratio range therebetween. In some instances solvent systems according to various aspects ofthe disclosure have a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 30:70 to about 70:30 and any ratio or ratio range therebetween. In some instances solvent systems according to various aspects of the disclosure have a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 35:65 to about 65:35 and any ratio or ratio range therebetween. In some instances solvent systems according to various aspects of the disclosure have a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 40:60 to about 60:40 and any ratio or ratio range therebetween. In some instances solvent systems according to various aspects of the disclosure have a multifunctional group solvent(s) to cosolvents) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 45:55 to about 55:45 and any ratio or ratio range therebetween. In some instances solvent systems according to various aspects of the disclosure have a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio of about 50:50 to about 55:45.

[0111] In some instances, electrolyte compositions according to various aspects of the disclosure comprising one or more lithium salts and a solvent system may have a combined lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from about 0.4 moles / liter (M) to about 6 M, alternatively from about 0.5 M to about 5 M, alternatively from about 0.6 M to about 4 M, alternatively from about 0.7 M to about 3 M, alternatively from about 0.8 M to about 2 M, alternatively from about 0.9 M to about 1.5 M, alternatively from about 1.0 M to about 1.4 M, alternatively from about 1.1 M to about 1.3 M, and alternatively about 1.2 M.EXAMPLES

[0112] Table 1 below provides a list of electrolyte compositions, both prior art and according to the invention, prepared in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Generally, the following materials were used as purchased to prepare the tabulated electrolyte compositions: bi s(2 -methoxy ethyl) carbonate (BMC), bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ether (BTFE), dimethyl 2,5-dioxahexanedioate (DDHD), diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DGME), dimethylcarbonate (DMC), dimethoxyethane (DME), di(propylene glycol) methyl ether acetate, mixture of isomers (DPGMEA), ethylene carbonate (EC), ethylene glycol diacetate (EGD), ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate (EGMEM), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), methyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl carbonate (FEMC), lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI), lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiODFB), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPFe), lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), Methyl 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-3-methoxypropionate (M3FP), methyl 3 -methoxypropionate (M3P), methyl 4,4-dimethoxybutyrate (MDMB), methyl 3, 3 -dimethoxypropionate (MDMP), methylfluoroacetate (MFA), methyl methoxyacetate (MMA), Methyl 4-methoxybutyrate (MMB), methyl 3,3,3-trifluoropropionate (MTFP), methyl trans-3-methoxyacrylate (MTMA), methyl undecafluoro-2-methyl-3 -oxahexanoate (MUMO), propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate (PGMEA), and l,l,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (TFE).

[0113] An exemplary procedure for the preparation of an electrolyte composition (Electrolyte # 5) is as follows. First, in a glove box (Ar atmosphere, < 0.01 ppm FEO, < 0.001 ppm O2), a 50:50 v / v% solvent system was prepared by mixing 2.256 ml of EC and 2.258 ml of M3P in a polypropylene test tube at room temperature. Next, LiFSI was dissolved in the solvent system, at room temperature, in an amount required to provide the resulting electrolyte composition with a 1.2 M LiFSI concentration.Table 1.

[0114] 7Li NMR. Various electrolyte compositions were compared by7Li NMR (Bruker 500 MHz, 11 T magnet, 1.0 M LiCl in D2O as reference standard at 0.0 ppm). The results of the7Li NMR comparison is provided in Table 2.Table 2.

[0115] As can be seen in Table 2, prior art electrolyte compositions generally exhibit an observable7Li peak between about -0.33 and about -1.15 ppm whereas the electrolyte compositions according to the invention exhibit an7Li peak between about -0.18 and about +0.53. This relative downfield shift indicates the inventive solvent systems promote a decrease in valence electron density of lithium ions of the lithium salt in the electrolyte composition, indicating a decrease in lithium ion size. The decreased lithium ion size is believed to increase lithium ion transport speed and thus a better rate capability (i.e., the ability to generate a large amount of power while maintaining a certain voltage limit) in electrochemical devices.

[0116] Battery Performance . To test the performance of the example electrolyte compositions, coin cell batteries (FIG. 1) were prepared, where each coin cell 2032 batterycomprised a cathode made of a sulfur-carbon composite, a lithium disc (250 pm thickness) anode, a polypropylene (25 pm thickness) separator and an example electrolyte composition. In the examples, coin cell batteries having various electrolyte-to-sulfur (E / S) values were tested.

[0117] In a first set of battery performance testing, coin cell batteries having certain electrolytic compositions according to the invention were subjected to low temperature pulse testing at room temperature and 0°C. The protocol for the room temperature pulse testing included a first discharge at C / 14-C / 20 at room temperature, followed by a second charge at C / 10-C / 14 and discharge cycle at C / 4, followed by a third charge at C / 10-C / 14. The protocol for the 0°C pulse testing included, after storing the battery for three hours in a 0°C chamber, 1C pulses every five second with a C / 4 continuous discharge.

[0118] The results of the room temperature pulse testing are provided in Table 3. In Table 3, discharge capacity units are mAh / gram of Sulfur.Table 3.

[0119] The results of the 0°C pulse testing are provided in Table 4. In Table 4, discharge capacity units are mAh / gram of sulfur.Table 4.

[0120] FIG. 2 is a graphical display of a charge / discharge curve for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 16 (coin cell E / S = 2). FIG. 3 is a graphical display of a charge / discharge curve for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 17 (coin cell E / S = 2). FIG. 4 is a graphical display of a charge / discharge curve for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 18 (coin cell E / S = 2). FIG. 5 is a graphical display of a charge / discharge curve for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 19 (coin cell E / S = 2). FIG. 6 is a graphical display of a charge / discharge curve for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 20 (coin cell E / S = 2). FIG. 7 is a graphical display of a voltage v. discharge specific capacity of an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 19 (coin cell E / S = 2) while subjecting to 1C pulses every 5 seconds at 0°C.

[0121] In another set of battery performance testing, coin cell batteries having certain electrolytic compositions according to the invention were subjected to charge / discharge cycling experiments. The charge / discharge cycling experiments were performed at room temperature. The first three charge / discharge cycles were performed using a C / 14 charge and discharge, 5 minutes of CVC and a C / 50 cut off voltage. The fourth through last charge / discharge cycle were performed using a C / 4 charge and discharge, two hours of CVC and a C / 50 cut off voltage.

[0122] FIG. 8 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 21 (Table 1) over 31 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2. FIG. 9 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 22 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2. FIG. 10 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), anddischarge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 23 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2. FIG. 11 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 24 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2. FIG. 12 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 25 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2. FIG. 13 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 26 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2. FIG. 14 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 27 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2. FIG. 15 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 28 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2. FIG. 16 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 29 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2. FIG. 17 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 30 (Table 1) over 50 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 2.

[0123] FIG. 18 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 21 (Table 1) over 65 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 4. FIG. 19 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; lightcircles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 31 (Table 1) over 65 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 4. FIG. 20 is a graphical display showing the efficiency (%; diamonds), charge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; light circles), and discharge specific capacity (mAh / g of sulfur; dark circles) for an exemplary coin cell battery comprising Electrolyte Composition # 32 (Table 1) over 65 charge / discharge cycles; the coin cell battery had an E / S = 4.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An electrolyte composition comprising: one or more metal salts; and a multifunctional group solvent, the multifunctional group solvent comprising at least two organic electron-donating functional groups.

2. The electrolyte composition of claim 1, wherein the at least two organic electron-donating functional groups are different types of organic electron-donating functional groups.

3. The electrolyte composition of claim 2, wherein the at least two different types of organic electron-donating functional groups are selected from the group consisting of ethers, esters, carbonates, ketones, carboxylates, amines, thioethers, sulfones, sultones, sulfides, thioesters, acrylates, methacrylates, carbamates, thiocarbamates, thiocarbonates, amides, imides, imines, alkoxysilanes, and phosphonates.

4. The electrolyte composition of claim 2, wherein the at least two different types of organic electron-donating functional groups are selected from the group consisting of ethers, esters, carbonates, ketones and carboxylates.

5. The electrolyte composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more metals salts are lithium salts.

6. The electrolyte composition of claim 5, wherein the lithium salts are selected from the group consisting of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI), lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiODFB), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPFe), lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and lithium perchlorate (LiCICh).

7. The electrolyte composition of claim 5, wherein electrolyte composition has a lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from about 0.4 moles / liter (M) to about 6 M.

8. The electrolyte composition of claim 5, wherein electrolyte composition has a lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from about 0.5 M to about 2 M.

9. The electrolyte composition of claim 5, wherein electrolyte composition has a lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from about 0.8 M to about 1.6 M.

10. The electrolyte composition of claim 1, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is methyl methoxyacetate, methyl trimethoxyacetate, methyl 3 -methoxypropionate, bi s(2-methoxy ethyl) carbonate, methyl 3,3-dimethoxypropionate, ethyl 3, 3 -di ethoxypropionate, ethyl pyruvate, methyl 2-methoxypropionate, methyl 4-methoxybutyrate, methyl 4,4-dimethoxybutyrate, methyl undecafluoro-2-methyl-3 -oxahexanoate, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol diacetate, propylene glycol diacetate, dimethyl 2,5-dioxahexanedioate, 2-methoxyethyl methyl carbonate, bis(2- methoxy ethyl) carbonate, (4R)-4-(methoxymethyl)-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, 4-(butoxymethyl)- l,3-dioxolan-2-one, (2-oxo-l,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl 2-methylpropanoate, bis(2- (methoxycarbonyl)phenyl) carbonate, ethylene glycol bis-(methylcarbonate), 4- (hydroxymethyl)-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, adipic acid monoethyl ester, L-glutamic acid 5-methyl ester, dimethyl itaconate, dimethyl succinate, suberic acid monomethyl ester, N-acetyl-L- cysteine methyl ester, 2-hydroxysuccinic acid methyl ester, diethyl malonate, diethyl maleate, (E)-3-methoxy-2-butenoic acid methyl ester, ethyl glutaryl chloride, methyl glutaryl chloride, acetoacetic ester, diethyl acetamidomalonate, diethyl methylmalonate, diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate, ethyl diethoxyacetate, monoethyl fumarate, monomethyl adipate, methyl 3-(methylmercapto)propionate, ethyl 3-(methylthio)propionate, methyl 3- (ethylthio)propi onate methyl 3-(dimethylamino)propionate, ethyl 3-(benzylsulfonyl)propionate, ethyl 3-(dibutylamino)propionate, ethyl 3-(dipropylamino)propionate, 2-[2-(propionyloxy)ethoxy]ethyl propionate or any combination thereof.

11. The electrolyte composition of claim 1, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is methyl trans-3-methoxyacrylate, 2-(diethylamino)ethyl acrylate, 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, (2-ethoxyethyl) methacrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate, di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether acrylate, 3-(dimethylamino)propyl acrylate, ethyl 3-(N,N- dimethylamino)acrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, 2- (methylthio)ethyl methacrylate, di(ethylene glycol) diacrylate tetra(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, tri(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate, 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl acetoacetate, 1,4- butanediol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate or any combination thereof.

12. The electrolyte composition of claim 1, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is (3- acetoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, acetoxyethyltrimethoxysilane, acetoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, acetoxymethyltriethoxysilane, di-tertbutoxydiacetoxysilane, (3-acryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, ureidopropyltrimethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane, acryloxymethyltrimethoxy silane, 3 -(trimethoxy silyl)propyl methacrylate, (3- trimethoxysilyl)propyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropionate, N,N’-bis(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)urea, (2-diethylphosphatoethyl)triethoxysilane, N-(triethoxysilyl)-O-polyethylene oxide urethane, O-(methacryloxyethyl)-N-(3 -tri ethoxy silylpropyl)carbamate, N, N-di octyl -N’-(triethoxysilylpropyl)urea or any combination thereof.

13. The electrolyte composition of claim 1, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is 1- methoxy-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethane, Demeton-S-methyl-sulfon, 2-(m ethyl sulfonyl)acetamide, N-methyl-2-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide, 2-(methylamino)-l-(methylsulfonyl)ethane, bi s(m ethyl sulfonyl)methane, 3 -(methyl sulfonyl)butyl methanesulfonate, methanesulfonylacetone or any combination thereof.

14. The electrolyte composition of claim 1, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is a lactone or a lactam.

15. The electrolyte composition of claim 14, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is a lactone selected grom the group consisting of 4-methoxy-2(5H)-furanone, L-(+)-gulono-l,4- lactone, N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone, 5-gluconolactone, N-butyryl-DL- homoserine lactone, D-glucaric acid-l,4-lactone, N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone, isocitric acid lactone, N-octanoyl-DL-homoserine lactone, N-myristoyl-DL-homoserine lactone, L- galactono-l,4-lactone, 5-hydroxy-2,3-norbornanedicarboxylic acid gamma-lactone, O- glycero-L-manno-deptonic-gamma-lactone, methyl 2-pyrone-3 -carboxylate, 2-(2- hydroxyethyl)-2-isopentylglutaric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(2 -hydroxy ethylhexanoic acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-valeric acid gammalactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethyl-2-(2- hydroxyethyl)-glutaric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5- methylhexanoic acid gamma-lactone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-(3-oxobutyl)-valeric acid gamma lactone, dehydroacetic acid, (+)-garcinia acid, D-(-)-isoascorbic acid, erythorbic acid and any combination thereof.

16. The electrolyte composition of claim 14, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is a lactam selected grom the group consisting of 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, butyl L- pyroglutamate, L-pyroglutamic acid and combinations thereof.

17. The electrolyte composition of claim 1, wherein the multifunctional group solvent comprises at least one halogen group.

18. The electrolyte composition of claim 1, wherein the multifunctional group solvent comprises at least one fluorine group.

19. An electrochemical device comprising an electrolyte composition according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. The electrochemical device of claim 19, wherein the electrochemical device is a rechargeable battery.

21. An electrolyte composition comprising: one or more metal salts; and a solvent system comprising: a multifunctional group solvent, the multifunctional group solvent comprising at least two organic electron-donating functional groups; and a co-solvent.

22. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the at least two organic electron-donating functional groups are different types of organic electron-donating functional groups.

23. The electrolyte composition of claim 22, wherein the at least two different types of organic electron-donating functional groups are selected from the group consisting of ethers, esters, carbonates, ketones, carboxylates, amines, thioethers, sulfones, sultones, sulfides, thioesters, acrylates, methacrylates, carbamates, thiocarbamates, thiocarbonates, amides, imides, imines, alkoxysilanes, and phosphonates.

24. The electrolyte composition of claim 22, wherein the at least two different types of organic electron-donating functional groups are selected from the group consisting of ethers, esters, carbonates, ketones and carboxylates.

25. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the one or more metals salts are lithium salts.

26. The electrolyte composition of claim 25, wherein the lithium salts are selected from the group consisting of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI), lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiODFB), lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPFe), lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and lithium perchlorate (LiCICh).

27. The electrolyte composition of claim 25, wherein electrolyte composition has a lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from about 0.4 moles / liter (M) to about 6 M.

28. The electrolyte composition of claim 25, wherein electrolyte composition has a lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from about 0.5 M to about 2 M.

29. The electrolyte composition of claim 25, wherein electrolyte composition has a lithium salt(s) concentration ranging from about 0.8 M to about 1.6 M.

30. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is methyl methoxyacetate, methyl trimethoxyacetate, methyl 3 -methoxypropionate, bis(2- methoxyethyl) carbonate, methyl 3,3-dimethoxypropionate, ethyl 3, 3 -di ethoxy propionate, ethyl pyruvate, methyl 2-methoxypropionate, methyl 4-methoxybutyrate, methyl 4,4- dimethoxybutyrate, methyl undecafluoro-2-methyl-3 -oxahexanoate, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol diacetate, propylene glycol diacetate, dimethyl 2,5-dioxahexanedioate, 2-methoxyethyl methyl carbonate, bi s(2-methoxy ethyl) carbonate, (4R)-4-(methoxymethyl)-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, 4- (butoxymethyl)-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, (2-oxo-l,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl 2-methylpropanoate, bis(2-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl) carbonate, ethylene glycol bis-(methylcarbonate), 4- (hydroxymethyl)-l,3-dioxolan-2-one, adipic acid monoethyl ester, L-glutamic acid 5-methyl ester, dimethyl itaconate, dimethyl succinate, suberic acid monomethyl ester, N-acetyl-L- cysteine methyl ester, 2-hydroxysuccinic acid methyl ester, diethyl malonate, diethyl maleate, (E)-3-methoxy-2-butenoic acid methyl ester, ethyl glutaryl chloride, methyl glutaryl chloride, acetoacetic ester, diethyl acetamidomalonate, diethyl methylmalonate, diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate, ethyl diethoxyacetate, monoethyl fumarate, monomethyl adipate, methyl 3-(methylmercapto)propionate, ethyl 3-(methylthio)propionate, methyl 3- (ethylthio)propi onate methyl 3-(dimethylamino)propionate, ethyl 3-(benzylsulfonyl)propionate, ethyl 3-(dibutylamino)propionate, ethyl 3-(dipropylamino)propionate, 2-[2-(propionyloxy)ethoxy]ethyl propionate or any combination thereof.

31. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is methyl trans-3-methoxyacrylate, 2-(diethylamino)ethyl acrylate, 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate, (2- ethoxyethyl) methacrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate, di (ethylene glycol) ethyl ether acrylate, 3-(dimethylamino)propyl acrylate, ethyl 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)acrylate, ethylene glycol diacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, 2- (methylthio)ethyl methacrylate, di(ethylene glycol) diacrylate tetra(ethylene glycol) diacrylate, di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, tri(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate, 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl acetoacetate, 1,4- butanediol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate or any combination thereof.

32. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is (3- acetoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, acetoxyethyltrimethoxysilane, acetoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, acetoxymethyltriethoxysilane, di-tertbutoxydiacetoxysilane, (3-acryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, ureidopropyltrimethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane, acryloxymethyltrimethoxy silane, 3 -(trimethoxy silyl)propyl methacrylate, (3- trimethoxysilyl)propyl 2-bromo-2-methylpropionate, N,N’-bis(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)urea, (2-diethylphosphatoethyl)triethoxysilane, N-(triethoxysilyl)-O-polyethylene oxide urethane, O-(methacryloxyethyl)-N-(3 -tri ethoxy silylpropyl)carbamate, N, N-di octyl -N’-(triethoxysilylpropyl)urea or any combination thereof.

33. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is 1- methoxy-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethane, Demeton-S-methyl-sulfon, 2-(m ethyl sulfonyl)acetamide, N-methyl-2-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide, 2-(methylamino)-l-(methylsulfonyl)ethane, bi s(m ethyl sulfonyl)methane, 3 -(methyl sulfonyl)butyl methanesulfonate, methanesulfonylacetone or any combination thereof.

34. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is a lactone or a lactam.

35. The electrolyte composition of claim 34, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is a lactone selected grom the group consisting of 4-methoxy-2(5H)-furanone, L-(+)-gulono-l,4- lactone, N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone, 5-gluconolactone, N-butyryl-DL- homoserine lactone, D-glucaric acid-l,4-lactone, N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone, isocitricacid lactone, N-octanoyl-DL-homoserine lactone, N-myristoyl-DL-homoserine lactone, L- galactono-l,4-lactone, 5-hydroxy-2,3-norbornanedicarboxylic acid gamma-lactone, O- glycero-L-manno-deptonic-gamma-lactone, methyl 2-pyrone-3 -carboxylate, 2-(2- hydroxyethyl)-2-isopentylglutaric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(2 -hydroxy ethylhexanoic acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-valeric acid gammalactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethyl-2-(2- hydroxyethyl)-glutaric acid gamma-lactone, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5- m ethylhexanoic acid gamma-lactone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-(3-oxobutyl)-valeric acid gamma lactone, dehydroacetic acid, (+)-garcinia acid, D-(-)-isoascorbic acid, erythorbic acid and any combination thereof.

36. The electrolyte composition of claim 34, wherein the multifunctional group solvent is a lactam selected grom the group consisting of 2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid, butyl L- pyroglutamate, L-pyroglutamic acid and combinations thereof.

37. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the co-solvent is selected from the group consisting of bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ether (BTFE), di ethyl carb onate (DEC) dimethylcarbonate (DMC), dimethoxyethane (DME), ethylene carbonate (EC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), methyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl carbonate (FEMC), methyl fluoroacetate (MFA), methyl 3,3,3-trifluoropropionate (MTFP), propylene carbonate (PC), l,l,2,2-tetrafhroroethyl-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (TFE), and any combination thereof.

38. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the solvent system has a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 10:90 to about 90: 10.

39. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the solvent system has a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 20:80 to about 80:20.

40. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the solvent system has a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 30:70 to about 70:30.

41. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the solvent system has a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio ranging from about 40:60 to about 60:40.

42. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the solvent system has a multifunctional group solvent(s) to co-solvent(s) volume / volume percent (v / v%) ratio of about 50:50.

43. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the multifunctional group solvent comprises at least one halogen group.

44. The electrolyte composition of claim 21, wherein the multifunctional group solvent comprises at least one fluorine group.

45. An electrochemical device comprising an electrolyte composition according to any one of claims 21 to 44.

46. The electrochemical device of claim 45, wherein the electrochemical device is a rechargeable battery.

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