A zwitterionic salt with one sulfonate and two ether functional groups as an additive for lithium-ion battery electrolyte

•An imidazolium-based zwitterionic compound was synthesized successfully.•Zwitterionic compound contains 2 ether groups at C-1 and C-2, and 1 sulfonate group at C-3.•Electrolytes using this compound as an additive show enhanced ionic conductivity.•The zwitterionic compound additive is shown to play a positive role in a full cell test.