A novel zwitterionic lithium-benzotriazole sulfobetaine is fabricated by grafting 1,3- propanesultone onto benzotriazole and then lithiating it. The resultant lithium-benzotriazole-sulfobetaine additive is used as an electrolyte additive in lithium ion batteries in 1 M LiPF6 (ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate = 1:1). The electrolytes with the lithium-benzotriazole sulfobetaine shows higher ionic conductivities (2.18 x 10(-2) S cm(-1)) compared to the bare electrolyte (1.07 x 10(-2) S cm(-1)) and greater electrochemical stability (anodic limit at similar to 5.5 V vs. Li/Li+) than the pure electrolyte (anodic limit at similar to 4.6 V vs. Li/Li+). The discharge capacity of the lithium cobalt oxide/graphite cells is improved at higher C-rates with the addition of lithium-benzotriazole sulfobetaine due to increased ionic conductivity. The lithium cobalt oxide/graphite cells with the lithium-benzotriazole sulfobetaine additive also show stable cycling performance. These findings warrant the use of lithium-benzotriazole sulfobetaine as an electrolyte additive in lithium ion batteries.