Behavior of Dimethyl Sulfite as a Potential Nonaqueous Battery Solvent

A potentially useful high energy battery electrolyte solvent, dimethyl sulfite, was investigated. The conductivities, viscosities, and densities of sodium trifluoromethane sulfonate salt in dimethyl sulfite are reported in the concentration range solution and for the temperature range 30°–80°C. The dielectric constant of dimethyl sulfite is 22.5 at 23.3°C. Sodium trifluoromethane sulfonate is weakly ionized in this solvent yielding conductivities in the 10−3 mho/cm range. Results of charging and discharging four different cell couples indicate this solvent is stable at cell potentials of over 4v vs. lithium.