Abstract: An electrolyte solvent having a dielectric constant of 10 or less comprising: a) 0% to 30% by volume of one or more of components i)-iii), based on a total volume of the electrolyte solvent: i) one or more unsubstituted cyclic carbonate(s): ii) one or more unsubstituted lactone(s); and iii) one or more unsubstituted oxazolidine(s); and b) 70% to 100% by volume of one or more of components iv)-vii), based on the total volume of the electrolyte solvent: iv) one or more substituted cyclic carbonate(s) having 3-15 carbon atoms: v) one or more substituted lactone(s) having 3-15 carbon atoms; and vi) one or more substituted oxazolidine(s) having 3-15 carbon atoms; and vii) one or more acyclic carbonate(s) having 2-20 carbon atoms. A method of making a cathode and cathodes and batteries made by the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of making a cathode active material, including steps of: a) mixing a conductive polymer, a nitrogen containing polymer or a combination of a conductive polymer and a nitrogen-containing polymer with sulfur in the presence of a solvent to form a mixture, using a weight ratio of the conductive polymer and/or nitrogen containing polymer to the sulfur of from about 1:2 to about 1:8; and b) heating the mixture to a temperature of from about 250#C to about 400#C under a pressure of from about 0.05 bar to about 2.0 bar to form the cathode active material. A cathode active material formed by the method and cells and batteries employing the cathode active material.