Low Temperature Molten Salt Electrolytes Containing Ternary Alkyl Sulfonium Salts

A new family of low temperature molten salts has been found. These electrolytes are based on the ternary alkyl sulfonium salts in mixtures with inorganic metal halides. A typical composition is the mixture of trimethylsulfonium chloride (TMSC) and AlCl 3 in a 1:2 mole ratio. This melt has a conductivity of 5.5 mS/cm, remains fluid until somewhat below −50°C, and can plate and strip aluminum. TMSC has the same electrochemically stable window as 1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium chloride.