Abstract: This invention describes a one pot, single-step process for the preparation of halide-free hydrophobic salts comprising polyalkylated imidazolium cations and various anions in accordance with the following structure, where R1 and R3 represent the either the same or different alkyl groups, and R2, R4, and R5 represent either hydrogen atoms, or the same or different alkyl group substituents; X represents a polyatomic anion that is the conjugate base of an acid.

Abstract: Cyclic delocalized cations joined together by spacer groups, with anions of equal number to cations to maintain charge neutrality, are disclosed. These spacer groups may be organic or inorganic in origin and may vary in length. The spacer groups may be saturated, containing single bonds, or may be unsaturated, containing double and triple bonds. With appropriate design these materials can have melting and glass transition temperatures below, around, and above room temperature. The lyophobic character of these materials may be adjusted, providing unique properties. These materials are well suited for use as electrolytes, lubricants, solvents for extractions and for running reactions, biphase catalysis media, media for electroluminescent devices.

Abstract: Acyclic, asymmetric methyl alkyl carbonates, particularly for use with a carbonaceous, e.g., graphite, anode, in electrolytes suitable for portable power sources, are disclosed. Asymmetric alkyl carbonate solvents, having the general structural formula MeO--CO.sub.2 R, where R is larger than methyl, can be used as the only solvent in the non-aqueous electrolyte of a portable power source; no other solvent is necessary for superior performance in, e.g., high energy density lithium ion batteries or high power electrochemical capacitors. Furthermore, an asymmetric alkyl methyl carbonate can serve as the primary solvent for a non-aqueous electrolyte, i.e., the solvent providing the requisite properties, with the appropriate volume balance being made up with a combination of cyclic and acyclic carbonates or esters chosen for a particular application.

Abstract: An electrochemical capacitor is disclosed that features two, separated, high surface area carbon cloth electrodes sandwiched between two current collectors fabricated of a conductive polymer having a flow temperature greater than 130.degree. C., the perimeter of the electrochemical capacitor being sealed with a high temperature gasket to form a single cell device. The gasket material is a thermoplastic stable at temperatures greater than 100.degree. C., preferably a polyester or a polyurethane, and having a reflow temperature above 130.degree. C. but below the softening temperature of the current collector material. The capacitor packaging has good mechanical integrity over a wide temperature range, contributes little to the device equivalent series resistance (ESR), and is stable at high potentials. In addition, the packaging is designed to be easily manufacturable by assembly line methods.

Abstract: Improved nonaqueous electrolytes for application in electrical storage devices such as electrochemical capacitors or batteries are disclosed. The electrolytes of the invention contain salts consisting of alkyl substituted, cyclic delocalized aromatic cations, and their perfluoro derivatives, and certain polyatomic anions having a van der Waals volume less than or equal to 100 .ANG..sup.3, preferably inorganic perfluoride anions and most preferably PF.sub.6.sup.-, the salts being dissolved in organic liquids, and preferably alkyl carbonate solvents, or liquid sulfur dioxide or combinations thereof, at a concentration of greater than 0.5M and preferably greater than 1.0M. Exemplary electrolytes comprise 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate dissolved in a cyclic or acylic alkyl carbonate, or methyl formate, or a combination therof.

Abstract: A series of electroactive insertion compounds, LiM.sub.y.sup.II M.sub.z.sup.III Mn.sub.l.sup.III Mn.sub.q.sup.IV O.sub.4 (0<y+z.ltoreq.0.5, y+z+l+q=2), where M=any transition metal or combination of metals, for application in non-aqueous batteries, capacitors, and superconducting materials, are disclosed. These newly synthesized compounds are unique in that they contain at least two mixed valence elements, thereby allowing the reversible intercalation of lithium cations at potentials near 4.7-5.1 V vs. lithium. Also disclosed are novel copper insertion compounds of the formula LiM.sub.y Cu.sub.0.5-y Mn.sub.1.5 O.sub.4 (0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.49), where M=one or more metals or transition metals. Such materials have also been found to be remarkably stable at this voltage upon repeated cycling.