There are provided an aqueous electrolyte solution having an extended potential window, in particular, an aqueous electrolyte solution whose potential window is further wider than those exhibited by conventional concentrated aqueous electrolyte solutions, and an aqueous electrolyte solution in which the cycle characteristics can be improved. A non-aqueous electrolyte solution capable of achieving a higher energy density is provided, the non-aqueous electrolyte solution containing easily available and inexpensive materials and having further improved characteristics. One aqueous electrolyte solution of the present embodiment contains a salt of at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium, magnesium, potassium and lithium, and a chaotropic additive. One other non-aqueous electrolyte solution of the present embodiment contains a salt of at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium, magnesium, potassium and lithium, and a chaotropic additive.

There are provided an aqueous electrolyte solution having an extended potential window, in particular, an aqueous electrolyte solution whose potential window is further wider than those exhibited by conventional concentrated aqueous electrolyte solutions, and an aqueous electrolyte solution in which the cycle characteristics can be improved. A non-aqueous electrolyte solution capable of achieving a higher energy density is provided, the non-aqueous electrolyte solution containing easily available and inexpensive materials and having further improved characteristics. One aqueous electrolyte solution of the present embodiment contains a salt of at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium, magnesium, potassium and lithium, and a chaotropic additive. One other non-aqueous electrolyte solution of the present embodiment contains a salt of at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium, magnesium, potassium and lithium, and a chaotropic additive.

Provided are a nonaqueous electrolyte capable of providing a nonaqueous electrolyte energy storage device with reduced direct current resistance and an increased capacity retention ratio after charge-discharge cycles, a nonaqueous electrolyte energy storage device including such a nonaqueous electrolyte, and a method for producing such a nonaqueous electrolyte energy storage device. One mode of the present invention is a nonaqueous electrolyte for an energy storage device, containing an additive represented by the following Formula (1) or Formula (2). In Formula (1), R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a group represented by —NR.sup.a.sub.2, —OR.sup.a, —SR.sup.a, etc., with the proviso that at least one of R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 is a group represented by —OR.sup.a, —SR.sup.a, —COOR.sup.a, —COR.sup.a, —SO.sub.2R.sup.a, or —SO.sub.3R.sup.a. In Formula (2), R.sup.5 to R.sup.7 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a group represented by —NR.sup.b.sub.2, —OR.sup.b, or —SR.sup.b, with the proviso that at least one of R.sup.5 to R.sup.7 is a group represented by —SR.sup.b. ##STR00001##

Provided are a nonaqueous electrolyte capable of providing a nonaqueous electrolyte energy storage device with reduced direct current resistance and an increased capacity retention ratio after charge-discharge cycles, a nonaqueous electrolyte energy storage device including such a nonaqueous electrolyte, and a method for producing such a nonaqueous electrolyte energy storage device. One mode of the present invention is a nonaqueous electrolyte for an energy storage device, containing an additive represented by the following Formula (1) or Formula (2). In Formula (1), R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a group represented by —NR.sup.a.sub.2, —OR.sup.a, —SR.sup.a, etc., with the proviso that at least one of R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 is a group represented by —OR.sup.a, —SR.sup.a, —COOR.sup.a, —COR.sup.a, —SO.sub.2R.sup.a, or —SO.sub.3R.sup.a. In Formula (2), R.sup.5 to R.sup.7 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a group represented by —NR.sup.b.sub.2, —OR.sup.b, or —SR.sup.b, with the proviso that at least one of R.sup.5 to R.sup.7 is a group represented by —SR.sup.b. ##STR00001##

Electrolytes and electrolyte additives for energy storage devices comprising a sulfonate ester compound are disclosed. The energy storage device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a Si-based electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, an electrolyte, and at least one electrolyte additive selected from a sulfonate ester compound.

The invention provides electrolyte compositions including a metal cation, an ionic liquid, and a chelator that coordinates the metal cation. The electrolyte compositions are advantageous as they exhibit increased ion transference, and thus increased total conductivity, relative to a pure ionic liquid electrolyte that coordinates the metal cation. The invention provides a general strategy to control the cation-anion dynamics that govern ionic liquid performance. Electrolytes of the invention may be useful for any suitable purpose, e.g., in primary and secondary batteries, supercapacitors, and solar cells.

The invention provides electrolyte compositions including a metal cation, an ionic liquid, and a chelator that coordinates the metal cation. The electrolyte compositions are advantageous as they exhibit increased ion transference, and thus increased total conductivity, relative to a pure ionic liquid electrolyte that coordinates the metal cation. The invention provides a general strategy to control the cation-anion dynamics that govern ionic liquid performance. Electrolytes of the invention may be useful for any suitable purpose, e.g., in primary and secondary batteries, supercapacitors, and solar cells.

Electrolytes and electrolyte additives for energy storage devices comprising functional thiophene compounds are disclosed. The energy storage device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a Si-based electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, an electrolyte, and at least one electrolyte additive selected from a thiophene compound.

Electrolytes and electrolyte additives for energy storage devices comprising functional thiophene compounds are disclosed. The energy storage device comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a Si-based electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, an electrolyte, and at least one electrolyte additive selected from a thiophene compound.

An electrolytic solution for an electrochemical device a solvent, an ionic substance, and an additive agent, the additive agent containing α-methyl-γ-butyrolactone and δ-valerolactone.