Ionic liquids based on (fluorosulfonyl)(pentafluoroethanesulfonyl)imide with various oniums

New hydrophobic ionic liquids based on (fluorosulfonyl)(pentafluoroethanesulfonyl)imide ([(FSO2)(C2F5SO2)N](-), FPFSI-) anion with various oniums, including imidazolium, tetraalkyl ammonium, pyrrolidinium, and piperidinium, were prepared and characterized. Their physicochemical and electrochemical properties, including phase transitions, thermal stability, viscosity, density, specific conductivity and electrochemical windows, were extensively characterized, and were comparatively studied with the corresponding ionic liquids containing the isomeric but symmetric TFSI- ([(CF3SO2)(2)N](-)) anion. These new FPFSI--based ionic liquids display low melting points, low viscosities, good thermal stability, and wide electrochemical windows allowing Li deposition/dissolution. All these desired properties suggest they are potential electrolyte materials for Li (or Li-ion) batteries. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.