Preparation of room temperature ionic liquids based on aliphatic onium cations and asymmetric amide anions and their electrochemical properties as a lithium battery electrolyte

Abstract The physical and electrochemical properties of room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) based on asymmetric amide anions (TSAC: 2,2,2-trifluoro- N -(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)acetamide, C1C2: N -(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)pentafluoroethylsulfonamide) and aliphatic onium cations, such as ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium, were reported. The melting point of the C1C2 salts decreased compared to the corresponding TFSI salts (TFSI: bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide), however, the viscosity was about twice that of the TFSI salts. Relatively low viscosity RTILs based on aliphatic onium cations could be prepared using the TSAC anion and tetraalkylammonium cation containing an alkoxy group. The linear sweep voltammogram of these RTILs with and without Li-TFSI were investigated in order to estimate the electrochemical windows and possible use as a lithium battery electrolyte.