Electric Current-Producing Device Having Sulfone-Based Electrolyte

• US 20070298326A1
• Filed: 07/19/2007
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Original Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents (University of Arizona)
• Inventors: Sun, Xiao-Guang, Angell, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,833,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/323
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/60 characterised by the solvent
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/64 characterised by additives
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0567 characterised by the additives
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0569 characterised by the solvents
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0025 Organic electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0037 Mixture of solvents
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/164 by the solvent
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/168 by additives
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors

Abstract

Electrolytic solvents and applications of such solvents including electric current-producing devices. For example, a solvent can include a sulfone compound of R1—SO2—R2, with R1 being an alkyl group and R2 a partially oxygenated alkyl group, to exhibit high chemical and thermal stability and high oxidation resistance. For another example, a battery can include, between an anode and a cathode, an electrolyte which includes ionic electrolyte salts and a non-aqueous electrolyte solvent which includes a non-symmetrical, non-cyclic sulfone. The sulfone has a formula of R1—SO2—R2, wherein R1 is a linear or branched alkyl or partially or fully fluorinated linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and R2 is a linear or branched or partially or fully fluorinated linear or branched oxygen containing alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms. The electrolyte can include an electrolyte co-solvent and an electrolyte additive for protective layer formation.

Claims

1. An electrolyte element for use in an electric current-producing device, comprising:

one or more ionic electrolyte salts; and

a non-aqueous electrolyte solvent including one or more non-symmetrical, non-cyclic sulfones of the general formula;

R1—

SO2—

R2, wherein the R1 group is a linear or branched alkyl or partially or fully fluorinated linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and the R2 group, which is different in formulation than the R1 group, is a linear or branched or partially or fully fluorinated linear or branched oxygen containing alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms.

2. The electrolyte element of claim 1, wherein the R1 group comprises at least one of:

methyl (—

CH₃);

ethyl (—

CH₂CH₃);

n-propyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-butyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-pentyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-hexyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-heptyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

iso-propyl (—

CH(CH₃)₂);

iso-butyl (—

CH₂CH(CH₃)₂) ;

sec-butyl (—

CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃);

tert-butyl (—

C(CH₃)₃);

iso-pentyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)₂);

trifluoromethyl (—

CF₃);

2,2,2-trifluoroethyl (—

CH₂CF₃);

1,1-difluoroethyl (—

CF₂CH₃);

perfluoroethyl (—

CF₂CF₃);

3,3,3-trifluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CH₂CF₃);

2,2-difluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CF₂CH₃);

1,1-difluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CH₂CH₃);

1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CH₂CF₃);

2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-butyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-pentyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-hexyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-heptyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

—

CF(CH₃)₂;

—

CH(CH₃) CF₃;

—

CF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CF(CH₃)₂;

—

CF₂CH(CH₃)₂;

—

CH₂CH(CH₃) CF₃;

—

CH₂CH(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CF(CF₃)₂;

—

C(CF₃)₃.

3. The electrolyte element of claim 1, wherein the R2 group comprises at least one of:

—

CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CHFCF₂OCF₂H;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CF₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃.

4. The electrolyte element of claim 1, wherein the ionic electrolyte salt comprises at least one of MClO4, MPF6, MPF_x(C_nF_2n+1)_6-x, MBF4, MBF_4-x (C_nF_2n+1), MAsF6, MSCN, MB(CO₂)₄, MN(SO2CF3)2, and MSO3CF3, where “

M”

is lithium or sodium, or any mixture thereof.

5. The electrolyte element of claim 1, comprising an electrolyte co-solvent.

6. The electrolyte element of claim 5, wherein the electrolyte co-solvent comprises at least one of:

co-solvents include carbonates, N-methyl acetamide, acetonitrile, symmetric sulfones, sulfolanes, 1,3-dioxolanes, glymes, polyethylene glycols, siloxanes, and ethylene oxide grafted siloxanes.

7. The electrolyte element of claim 1, comprising an electrolyte additive.

8. The electrolyte element of claim 7, wherein the electrolyte additive comprises at least one of:

vinylene carbonate (VC), ethylene sulfite (ES), propylene sulfite (PS), fluoroethylen sulfite (FEC), α

-bromo-γ

-butyrolactone, methyl chloroformate, t-butylene carbonate, 12-crown-4, carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), sulfur trioxide (SO₃), acid anhydrides, reaction products of carbon disulfide and lithium, polysulfide, and other inorganic additives.

9. An electric current-producing device, comprising:

a cathode;

an anode; and

a non-aqueous electrolyte element disposed between the cathode and anode, the non-aqueous electrolyte element including an electrolyte salt and a non-symmetrical, non-cyclic sulfone of the general formula;

R1—

SO2—

R2, wherein R1 is an alkyl group, and R2 is an alkyl group including oxygen.

10. The electric current-producing device of claim 9, wherein the device is a voltaic cell.

11. The electric current-producing device of claim 9, wherein the device is a supercapacitor.

12. The electric current-producing device of claim 9, wherein the alkyl group of R1 includes oxygen and has a different formulation than R2.

13. The electric current-producing device of claim 12, wherein the R1 or R2 group comprises at least one of:

—

CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CHFCF₂OCF₂H;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF(CF₃) 2;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CF₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃.

14. The electric current-producing device of claim 9, wherein the R1 group comprises at least one of:

methyl (—

CH₃);

ethyl (—

CH₂CH₃);

n-propyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-butyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-pentyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-hexyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-heptyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

iso-propyl (—

CH(CH₃)₂);

iso-butyl (—

CH₂CH(CH₃)₂);

sec-butyl (—

CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃);

tert-butyl (—

C(CH₃)₃);

iso-pentyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)₂);

trifluoromethyl (—

CF₃);

2,2,2-trifluoroethyl (—

CH₂CF₃);

1,1-difluoroethyl (—

CF₂CH₃);

perfluoroethyl (—

CF₂CF₃);

3,3,3-trifluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CH₂CF₃);

2,2-difluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CF₂CH₃);

1,1-difluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CH₂CH₃);

1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CH₂CF₃);

2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-butyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-pentyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-hexyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-heptyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

—

CF(CH₃)₂;

—

CH(CH₃) CF₃;

—

CF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CF(CH₃)₂;

—

CF₂CH(CH₃)₂;

—

CH₂CH(CH₃) CF₃;

—

CH₂CH(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CF(CF₃)₂;

—

C(CF₃)₃.

15. The electric current-producing device of claim 9, wherein the ionic electrolyte salt comprises at least one of MClO4, MPF6, MPF_x (C_nF_2n+1)_6-x, MBF4, MBF_4-x (C_nF_2n+1)_x, MAsF6, MSCN, MB(CO₂)₄, MN(SO2CF3)2, and MSO3CF3, where “

M”

is lithium or sodium, or any mixture thereof.

16. The electric current-producing device of claim 9, wherein the electrolyte element includes an electrolyte co-solvent.

17. The electric current-producing device of claim 16, wherein the electrolyte co-solvent comprises at least one of:

co-solvents include carbonates, N-methyl acetamide, acetonitrile, symmetric sulfones, sulfolanes, 1,3-dioxolanes, glymes, polyethylene glycols, siloxanes, and ethylene oxide grafted siloxanes.

18. The electric current-producing device of claim 9, wherein the electrolyte element further includes an electrolyte additive, and other inorganic additives.

19. The electric current-producing device of claim 18, wherein the electrolyte additive comprises at least one of:

vinylene carbonate (VC), ethylene sulfite (ES), propylene sulfite (PS), fluoroethylene sulfite (FEC), α

-bromo-γ

-butyrolactone, methyl chloroformate, t-butylene carbonate, 12-crown-4, carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), sulfur trioxide (SO₃), acid anhydrides, reaction products of carbon disulfide and lithium, polysulfide, and other inorganic additives.

20. An electrolyte for an electric current-producing device, comprising a non-aqueous electrolyte solvent including an non-symmetrical, non-cyclic sulfone of the general formula:

R1—

SO2—

R2, wherein R1 is an alkyl group, and R2 is an alkyl group including oxygen.

21. The electrolyte of claim 20, wherein the alkyl group of R1 includes oxygen and has a different formulation than R2.

22. The electrolyte of claim 21, wherein the R1 or R2 group comprises at least one of:

—

CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CHFCF₂OCF₂H;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CF₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃.

23. The electrolyte of claim 21, wherein the R1 group comprises at least one of:

methyl (—

CH₃);

ethyl (—

CH₂CH₃);

n-propyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-butyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-pentyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-hexyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-heptyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

iso-propyl (—

CH(CH₃)₂);

iso-butyl (—

CH₂CH(CH₃)₂);

sec-butyl (—

CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃);

tert-butyl (—

C(CH₃)

     3);

iso-pentyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)₂);

trifluoromethyl (—

CF₃);

2,2,2-trifluoroethyl (—

CH₂CF₃);

1,1-difluoroethyl (—

CF₂CH₃);

perfluoroethyl (—

CF₂CF₃);

3,3,3-trifluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CH₂CF₃);

2,2-difluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CF₂CH₃);

1,1-difluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CH₂CH₃);

1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CH₂CF₃);

2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-butyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-pentyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-hexyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-heptyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

—

CF(CH₃)₂;

—

CH(CH₃)CF₃;

—

CF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CF(CH₃)₂;

—

CF₂CH(CH₃)₂;

—

CH₂CH(CH₃)CF₃;

—

CH₂CH(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CF(CF₃)₂;

—

C(CF₃)₃.

24. The electrolyte of claim 20, wherein the ionic electrolyte salt comprises at least one of MClO4, MPF6, MPF_x (C_nF₂₊₁)_6-x, MBF4, MBF_4-x (C_nF_2n+1)_x, MAsF6, MSCN, MB(CO₂)₄, MN(SO2CF3)2, and MSO3CF3, where “

M”

is lithium or sodium, or any mixture thereof.

25. The electrolyte of claim 21, further including an electrolyte co-solvent.

26. The electrolyte of claim 25, wherein the electrolyte co-solvent comprises at least one of:

co-solvents include carbonates, N-methyl acetamide, acetonitrile, symmetric sulfones, sulfolanes, 1,3-dioxolanes, glymes, polyethylene glycols, siloxanes, and ethylene oxide grafted siloxanes.

27. The electrolyte of claim 20, further including an electrolyte additive.

28. The electrolyte of claim 27, wherein the electrolyte additive comprises at least one of:

vinylene carbonate VC), ethylene sulfite (ES), propylene sulfite (PS), fluoroethylene sulfite (FEC) , α

-bromo-γ

-butyrolactone, methyl chloroformate, t-butylene carbonate, 12-crown-4, carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), sulfur trioxide (SO₃), acid anhydrides, reaction products of carbon disulfide and lithium, polysulfide, and other inorganic additives.

29. A method of forming an electric current-producing device, comprising:

providing a cathode;

providing an anode; and

providing a non-aqueous electrolyte element disposed between the cathode and anode, the non-aqueous electrolyte element including an electrolyte salt and a non-symmetrical, non-cyclic sulfone of the general formula;

R1—

SO2—

R2, wherein R1 is an alkyl group, and R2 is an alkyl group including oxygen.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the alkyl group of R1 includes oxygen and has a different formulation than R2.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the R1 or R2 group comprises at least one of:

—

CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CHFCF₂OCF₂H;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CF₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the R1 group comprises at least one of:

methyl (—

CH₃);

ethyl (—

CH₂CH₃);

n-propyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-butyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-pentyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-hexyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-heptyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

iso-propyl (—

CH(CH₃)₂);

iso-butyl (—

CH₂CH(CH₃)₂);

sec-butyl (—

CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃);

tert-butyl (—

C(CH₃)₃);

iso-pentyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)₂);

trifluoromethyl (—

CF₃);

2,2,2-trifluoroethyl (—

CH₂CF₃);

1,1-difluoroethyl (—

CF₂CH₃);

perfluoroethyl (—

CF₂CF₃);

3,3,3-trifluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CH₂CF₃);

2,2-difluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CF₂CH₃);

1,1-difluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CH₂CH₃);

1,3,3,3-pentafluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CH₂CF₃);

2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-butyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-pentyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-hexyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-heptyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

—

CF(CH₃)₂;

—

CH(CH₃)CF₃;

—

CF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CF(CH₃)2;

-CF₂CH(CH₃)₂;

—

CH₂CH(CH₃)CF₃;

—

CH₂CH(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CF(CF₃)₂;

—

C(CF₃)₃.

33. A solvent comprising a compound of the general formula:

R¹—

SO₂—

R²

wherein

R¹ is an alkyl group, and

R² is an alkyl group that is at least partially oxygenated.

34. The solvent according to claim 33 wherein R² is at least partially fluorinated.

35. The solvent according to claim 33 wherein R² is fully fluorinated.

36. The solvent according to claim 33 wherein R¹ is at least partially fluorinated.

37. The solvent according to claim 33 wherein R¹ is fully fluorinated.

38. The solvent according to claim 34 wherein the compound is non-cyclic and non-symmetric.

39. The solvent according to claim 33, wherein R¹ comprises at least one of:

methyl (—

CH₃);

ethyl (—

CH₂CH₃);

n-propyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-butyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-pentyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-hexyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

n-heptyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃);

iso-propyl (—

CH(CH₃)2);

iso-butyl (—

CH₂CH(CH₃)₂);

sec-butyl (—

CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃);

tert-butyl (—

C(CH₃)₃);

iso-pentyl (—

CH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)₂);

trifluoromethyl (—

CF₃);

2,2,2-trifluoroethyl (—

CH₂CF₃);

1,1-difluoroethyl (—

CF₂CH₃);

perfluoroethyl (—

CF₂CF₃);

3,3,3-trifluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CH₂CF₃);

2,2-difluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CF₂CH₃);

1,1-difluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CH₂CH₃);

1,1,3,3,3-pentafluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CH₂CF₃);

2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoro-n-propyl (—

CH₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-propyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-butyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-pentyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-hexyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

perfluoro-n-heptyl (—

CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₃);

—

CF(CH₃)₂;

—

CH(CH₃)CF₃;

—

CF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CF(CH₃)₂;

—

CF₂CH(CH₃)₂;

—

CH₂CH(CH₃)CF₃;

—

CH₂CH(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CF(CF₃)₂;

—

C(CF₃)₃.

40. The solvent according to claim 33, wherein R² comprises at least one of:

—

CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CHFCF₂OCF₂H;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF(CF₃)₂;

—

CF₂CF₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OC(CF₃)₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₂CH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂OCF₂CF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CF₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CF₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CF₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CF₂CH₂CH₂OCF₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃;

—

CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₃.

41. The solvent according to claim 33, wherein R¹ is at least partially oxygenated.

42. The solvent according to claim 41 wherein R¹ has a different formulation than R².

43. A device, comprising:

an electrolyte comprising;

one or more ionic electrolyte salts; and

a solvent comprising a compound of;

R₁—

SO₂—

R₂

wherein R₁ is an alkyl group, and R₂ is an alkyl group that is at least partially oxygenated.

44. The device according to claim 43 wherein R² is at least partially fluorinated.

45. The device according to claim 43 wherein R² is fully fluorinated.

46. The device according to claim 43 wherein R¹ is at least partially fluorinated.

47. The device according to claim 43 wherein R¹ is fully fluorinated.

48. The device according to claim 43, wherein R¹ is at least partially oxygenated.

49. The device according to claim 48 wherein R¹ has a different formulation than R².

50. The device according to claim 43, wherein the ionic electrolyte salt comprises at least one of MClO₄, MPF₆, MPF_x (C_nF_2n+1)_6-x, MBF_4-xMBF_4-x (C_nF_2n+1)_x, MAsF₆, MSCN, MB(CO₂)₄, MN(SO₂CF₃)₂, and MSO₃CF₃, or any mixture thereof;

where “

M”

is lithium or sodium.

51. The device according to claim 43 comprising an electrolyte co-solvent.

52. The device according to claim 51, wherein the electrolyte co-solvent comprises at least one of carbonates, N-methyl acetamide, acetonitrile, symmetric sulfones, sulfolanes, 1,3-dioxolanes, glymes, polyethylene glycols, siloxanes, and ethylene oxide grafted siloxanes.

53. The device according to claim 43 further comprising an electrolyte additive.

54. The device according to claim 53 wherein the electrolyte additive comprises at least one of:

vinylene carbonate (VC), ethylene sulfite (ES), propylene sulfite (PS), fluoroethylene sulfite (FEC), α

-bromo-γ

-butyrolactone, methyl chloroformate, t-butylene carbonate, 12-crown-4, carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), sulfur trioxide (SO₃), acid anhydrides, reaction products of carbon disulfide and lithium, polysulfide, and other inorganic additives.

55. The device according to claim 43, comprising an anode and a cathode in contact with the electrolyte to form an electric current producing device which produces an electric current.

56. The device according to claim 55 wherein the electric current producing device is configured as a voltaic cell.

57. The device according to claim 55 wherein electric current producing device is configured as a supercapacitor.

58. The device according to claim 43, wherein the electrolyte is configured to exhibit high oxidation resistance.