An electrolyte composition for use in an electrolytic cell and an electrolytic cell that includes the same. The electrolytic cell includes a chemical component having the general formula:








[


H
x

⁢

O


(

x
-
1

)

2



]

⁢

Z
y




I






wherein x is an odd integer ≥3; y is an integer between 1 and 20; and Z is one of a monoatomic ion from Groups 14 through 17 having a charge value between −1 and −3 or a polyatomic ion having a charge between −1 and −3. The electrolytic composition also includes between 1 and 300 ppm ionic salts selected from the group consisting of alkali metals salts and alkali earth metal salts and mixtures thereof; and water. The battery electrolyte composition has a specific gravity between 1.07 and 1.4.