SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LITHIUM SULFONATES AS COMPONENTS OF MOLTEN-SALT ELECTROLYTES

A series of lithium sulfonates intended for battery purpose are synthesized by means of Strecker synthesis or sulfinatodehalogenation-oxidation : LiO3S-R-SO3Li; R = alkylene (I) or oligo-oxyethylene (II): R-SO3Li; R = perfluoroalkyls (III) or perhaloalkyls (IV). Thermal, electrical and electrochemical properties of these and their molten salt mixtures with other components are evaluated as lithium ion conducting electrolytes. The best recipe containing a newly synthesized lithium sulfonate gives a room temperature conductivity of 10(-2.8) S cm(-1) with a 4.0 V electrochemical domain.