This dissertation is comprised of five chapters detailing advances in the synthesis and preparation of polymers and materials and the application of these materials in lithium-sulfur batteries for next-generation energy storage technology. The research described herein discusses progress towards overcoming three critical challenges presented for optimizing Li-S battery performance, specifically, addressing the highly electrically insulating nature of elemental sulfur, extending the cycling lifetime of Li-S batteries, and enhancing the charge discharge rate capability of Li-S cathodes. The first chapter is a review highlighting the use of polymers in conventional lithium-sulfur battery cathodes. Li-S battery technology presents a grand opportunity to realize an electrochemical energy storage system with high enough capacity and energy density capable of addressing the needs presented by electrical vehicles and base load storage. Polymers are ubiquitous throughout conventional Li-S batteries and their use has been critical in overcoming the challenges presented for optimizing Li-S cathode performance towards practical implementation. The high electrical resistivity of elemental sulfur requires the incorporation of conductive additives in order to formulate it into a functional cathode. A polymer binder must be utilized to integrate the elemental sulfur as the active material with the conductive additives into an electrically conductive composite affixed to a current collector. The electrochemical action of the Li-S battery results in the electroactive sulfur species converting between high and low order lithium polysulfides as the battery is discharged and charged. These lithium polysulfides become soluble at various stages throughout this cycling process that lead to a host of complications including the loss of electroactive material and slow rate capabilities. The use of polymer coatings applied to both the electroactive material and the cathode as a whole have been successful in mitigating the dissolution of lithium polysulfides by confining the redox reactions to the cathode. Elemental sulfur is largely intractable in conventional solvents and suffers from poor chemical compatibility limiting synthetic modification. By incorporating S-S bonds into copolymeric materials the electrochemical reactivity of elemental sulfur can be maintained and allow these polymers to function as the electroactive cathode materials while enabling improved processability and properties via the comonomeric inclusions. The use of inverse vulcanization, which is the direct copolymerization of elemental sulfur, is highlighted as a facile method to prepare polymeric materials with a high content of S-S bonds for use as active cathode materials. The second chapter focuses on the synthesis and polymerization of a novel bifunctional monomer containing both a styrenic group to access free radical polymerization and a propylenedioxythiophene (ProDOT) to install conductive polymer pathways upon an orthogonal oxidative polymerization. The styrenic ProDOT monomer (ProDOT-Sty) was successfully applied to a two-step sequential polymerization where the styrenic group was first leveraged in a controlled radical polymerization (CRP) to afford well defined linear homo- and block polymer precursors with pendant electropolymerizable ProDOT moieties. Subsequent treatment of the these linear polymer precursors with an oxidant in solution enabled the oxidative polymerization of the pendant ProDOT groups to install conductive polythiophene inclusions. Although the synthesis and CRP of ProDOT-Sty was novel, the key advance in this work was successful demonstration that sequential radical and oxidative polymerizations could be carried out to install conductive polymer pathways through an otherwise nonconductive polymer matrix. The third chapter expands upon the use of ProDOT-Sty to install conductive polymer pathways through a sulfur copolymer matrix. The highly electrically insulating nature of elemental sulfur precludes its direct use as a cathode in Li-S batteries and thus the use of ProDOT-Sty in the preparation of a high sulfur content copolymer with conductive inclusions was targeted to improve electrical properties. Inverse vulcanization of elemental sulfur with ProDOT-Sty and a minimal amount of 1,3-diisopropenylbenzene (DIB) was first completed to afford a sulfur rich copolymer with electropolymerizable side chains. Subsequently, the improved processability of the sulfur copolymer was exploited to prepare thin polymer films on electrode surfaces. The poly(ProDOT-Sty-𝑐𝑜-DIB-𝑐𝑜-sulfur) (ProDIBS) films were then subjected to oxidizing conditions via an electrochemical cell to invoke electropolymerization of the ProDOT inclusions and install conductive poly(ProDOT) pathways. Evaluation of the electrical properties with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) revealed that the charge transfer resistance was reduced from 148 kΩ to 0.4 kΩ upon installation of the conductive poly(ProDOT) corresponding to an improvement in charge conductance of more than 95%. This also represented a key advance in expanding the scope of the inverse vulcanization methodology as the first example of utilizing a comonomer with a functional side chain. The fourth chapter focuses on expanding the scope of the inverse vulcanization polymerization methodology to include aryl alkyne based comonomers and the application of new these new sulfur copolymers as active cathode materials in Li-S batteries. The early work on developing inverse vulcanization relied heavily on the use of DIB as one of the few comonomers amenable to bulk copolymerization with elemental sulfur. One of the principal limitations in comonomer selection for inverse vulcanization is the solubility of the comonomer in molten sulfur. Generally it has been observed that aromatic compounds with minimal polarity are miscible and thus common classes of comonomers such as acrylates and methacrylates are immiscible and preclude their compatibility with inverse vulcanization. It was found that aryl alkynes are a unique class of compounds that are both miscible with molten sulfur and provide reactivity with sulfur centered radicals through the unsaturated carbon-carbon triple bonds. Additionally, it was found that internal alkynes were best suited for inverse vulcanization to preclude abstraction of the somewhat acidic hydrogen from terminal alkynes. 1,4-Diphenylbutadiyne (DiPhDY) was selected as a prototypical comonomer of this class of compounds for preparing high sulfur content copolymers via inverse vulcanization. Poly(sulfur-𝑐𝑜-DiPhDY) was prepared with various compositions of S:DiPhDY and these copolymers were formulated into cathodes for electrochemical testing in Li-S batteries. The poly(S-𝑐𝑜-DiPhDY) based cathodes exhibited the best performance reported at the time for a polymeric cathode material with the figure of merit of the first inverse vulcanizate to enable a cycle lifetime of up to 1000 cycles. The fifth chapter details the preparation of composite materials composed of a sulfur or copolymeric sulfur matrix with molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) inclusions and the use of these materials for Li-S cathodes with rapid charge/discharge rate capabilities. The higher order lithium polysulfide redox products (e.g., Li₂S₈ Li₂S₆) generated during Li-S cycling are soluble in the electrolyte solution of the battery. The rate capability of the Li-S battery is thus fundamentally limited by mass transfer as these electroactive species must diffuse back to the cathode surface in order to undergo further reduction (discharge) or oxidation (charge). In order to limit the effective diffusion length of the soluble lithium polysulfides and therefore mitigate the diffusion limited rate, composite materials with fillers capable of binding the lithium sulfides were prepared. MoS₂ was selected as the filler as simulations had indicated lithium polysulfide had a strong binding interaction with the surface of MoS₂. Furthermore, it was demonstrated for the first time that metal chalcogenides such as MoS₂ readily disperse in molten sulfur which enabled the facile preparation of the composite materials in situ. The composites were prepared by first dispersing MoS₂ in liquid sulfur or a solution of liquid sulfur and DIB below the floor temperature of S₈ (i.e.<160 °C). The dispersions were then heated above the floor temperature of S₈ to induce ring opening polymerization of the sulfur phase and afford the composites. The composites were found to be potent active cathode materials in Li-S batteries enabling extended cycle lifetimes of up to 1000 cycles with excellent capacity retention. Furthermore, the composite materials were successful in enhancing the rate capability of the Li-S cathodes where reversible capacity of >500 mAh/g was achieved at the rapid rate of 5C (i.e. a 12 min. charge or discharge time).

Entering a new era of green energy, several criteria such as cost, cycle life, safety, efficiency, energy, and power need to be considered in developing electrical energy storage systems for transportation and grid storage. Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are one of the prospective candidates in this regard as sulfur offers a high theoretical capacity of 1675 mAh g⁻¹ at a safer operating voltage range of ~ 2.1 V and low-cost benefit. This dissertation explores various original designs of novel electrodes, new cell configurations, and recharge strategies that can boost the cycle performance of Li-S cells. An in situ sulfur deposition route has been developed for synthesizing sulfur-carbon composites as cathode materials. This facile synthesis method involves the precipitation of elemental sulfur at the interspaces between carbon nanoparticles in aqueous solution at room temperature. Thus, a sulfur/multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite cathode with high-rate cyclability has been synthesized by the same process. Due to the self-weaving behavior of MWCNTs, extra cell components such as binders and current collectors are rendered unnecessary, thereby streamlining the electrode manufacturing process and decreasing the cell weight. A novel Li-S cell configuration with a carbon interlayer inserted between the separator and cathode has been designed to enhance the battery cyclability as well. A conductive MWCNT interlayer acting as a pseudo-upper current collector not only reduces the charge transfer resistance of sulfur cathodes significantly, but also localizes and retains the dissolved active material during cycling. Moreover, with a bi-functional microporous carbon paper intrerlayer, we observe a significant improvement not only in the active material utilization but also in capacity retention, without involving complex synthesis or surface modification. The kinetics of the sulfur/long-chain polysulfide redox couple (S₈ [double-sided arrow] Li₂S₄, theoretical capacity = 419 mAh g⁻¹) is experimentally proven to be very fast in the Li-S system. The Li-S cell with a blended carbon interlayer retains excellent cycle stability and possesses a high percentage of active material utilization over 250 cycles at high C rates (up to 15C). The meso-/micro- pores in the interlayer are in charge of accommodating the shuttling polysulfides and offering sufficient electrolyte accessibility. An appropriate and applicable way to recharge Li-S cells within the lower plateau region has been designed to offer tremendous improvement with various Li-S battery systems. Adjusting the charging condition led to long cycle life (over 500 cycles) with excellent capacity retention (> 99%) by inhibiting the electrochemical reactions along with polysulfide dissolution. In addition, the redox products determined by ex situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) further clarify the mechanism of polysulfide formation upon cycling, which is partially different from the general consensus. These approaches of novel electrode designs, new cell configurations, charging strategy, and understanding of the reactions in different discharge steps could progress the development and advancement of Li-S batteries. / text

The energy source shortage has become a severe issue, and solving the problem with renewable and sustainable energy is the primary trend. Among the new generation energy storage, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery stands out for its low cost, high theoretical capacity (1,675 mAh g-1), and environmentally friendly properties. Intensive researches have been focusing on this system and significant improvement has been achieved. However, several problems still need to be resolved for its practical application, especially for the “shuttle effect” issue coming from the dissolved intermediate polysulfides, which could cause rapid capacity decay and low Coulombic efficiency (CE). Several methods are proposed to eliminate this issue, including using interlayers, modifying separators, and protecting the lithium anode. A carbon interlayer is first introduced to compare the function of the graphene and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), while the CNTs performs better with its higher conductivity and 3D network structure. The following study is conducted based on this finding. A more efficient method is to modify the separator with functional materials. 1) The dissolved polysulfide (Sn2-) could be repelled by electrostatic forces. With the Poly (styrene sulfonate) (PSS), the separator could function as an anion barrier to the intermediate polysulfides. 2D ultra-thin zinc benzimidazolate coordination polymer has the OH- functional groups and works with the same mechanism. 2) A novel covalent organic framework (COF) has a relatively small pore size, which can block the polysulfide and restrain them at the cathode side. 3) Metal-organic framework (MOF) materials have the adjustable pore size and structure, which can absorb and trap polysulfides within their cavities. Moreover, the dense stacking of the MOF particles creates a physical blocking for the polysulfides, which efficiently suppresses the diffusion process. Protection of the lithium surface directly with an artificial layer or a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) can inhibit the polysulfide deposition and suppress the lithium dendrite. A polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane is used as an artificial film on lithium anode, which could greatly enhance the battery cyclability and CE. Future work will be conducted based on this concept, especially building an artificial SEI.

West Lafayette; Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are commonly and widely applied in current numerous devices such as smart phones, laptops, electric vehicles and medical devices. The LIBs are considered as a mature technology in todays commercial market bene ted from their uncomplicated lithium intercalation and de-intercalation reactions, stable cycling performance and good working life as energy storage devices and power resources. However, the conventional LIBs with technical limits such as high weight, low lithium utilization and low speci c energy density hit the bottlenecks of further improvements and optimizations for meeting the growing power supply requirements. It is urgent to develop the second generations of rechargeable lithium batteries, which have the bene ts of low cost, high speci c capacity and high energy density with light weight. In this context, lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) and lithium-selenium (Li-Se) batteries attract much attention due to the high possibility to meet the requirements of high speci c capacity and high energy density. However, the technical challenges they are facing put some barriers before they can be successfully commercialized. By a brief summary, the challenges to be solved are current low energy density because of requiring large amount of liquid electrolyte, the highly ammability and unsafety of lithium metal, low active material content due to the necessary requirement of carbon and binder, and severe so-called shuttle effect resulting in low Coulombic effciency. Before solving these challenges, Li-S batteries or Li-Se batteries are unlikely to be successfully commercialized in our market. Therefore, numerous research is aimed at solving the challenges and further developing more advanced Li-S and Li-Se battery systems. In the present dissertation, the contributions are mainly focused on sulfur-based and selenium-based materials, which aim to solve the current existing challenges and improve the battery performance, herein obtain a higher potential for application. Four chapters are included in this dissertation, which aim to present the four studied projects. The rst research conducted in this dissertation is developing organo S/Se hybrid materials which require low E/S ratios of liquid electrolyte and show light shuttle effect, therefore indicate promising high energy density and cycling life. Secondly, the tin foil is used as lithium sources instead of metallic lithium anode, then incorporated with sulfur cathode as a full cell. The full cell design provides the potential using a metallic anode other than pure lithium and increase the safety factor of a battery system. In addition, nano-scale selenium/carbon nanotubes composite electrode is synthesized via a chemical reduction method. With the optimization on thickness of the composite electrodes, the Se cathode has an active material content of ~60% and shows stable long cycling life with maximizing the utilization of selenium. The nal research conducted in this dissertation is applying a macro molecule named cyanostar, which has the ability to chemically bind with polysul de species, thereupon to alleviate the shuttle effect in Li-S batteries. With the evidence from chemistry analysis and electrochemical comparison results presented in this dissertation, cyanostar is proven to have the potential for further applications in Li-S batteries.

Les batteries lithium-air et Li-S sont des techniques prometteuses pour un stockage efficace d’énergie électrochimique. Les principaux défis sont de développer un électrolyte solide à haute conductivité ionique et des cathodes efficaces. Dans ce travail, des aérogels de carbone conducteurs avec une double porosité ont été synthétisés en utilisant la méthode de sol-gel. Ils ont été utilisés comme cathode dans des batteries lithium-air. Ces cathodes peuvent fournir deux types de canaux pour le stockage de produits de décharge, facilitant la diffusion gaz-liquide et réduisant ainsi le risque de colmatage. Presque 100 cycles été obtenus avec une capacité de 0,4 mAh et une densité de courant de 0,1 mA/cm². Pour le développement d'électrolyte solide stable et conducteur, les sulfures, en particulier Li4SnS4 et son dérivé Li10SnP2S12 ont été particulièrement étudiés. Ces composés ont été synthétisés en utilisant une technique en deux étapes comprenant la mécanosynthèse et un traitement thermique à température relativement basse qui a été optimisé afin d'améliorer la conductivité ionique. La meilleure conductivité obtenue est de 8,27×10-4 S / cm à 25°C et ces électrolytes présentent une grande stabilité électrochimique sur une large gamme de voltage de 0,5 à 7V. Les couches minces ont également été déposées en utilisant la technique de pulvérisation cathodique, avec en général une conductivité ionique améliorée. La performance des batteries Li-S assemblées avec ces électrolytes massifs doit être améliorée, en particulier en améliorant la conductivité ionique de l'électrolyte. / Lithium-air and Li-S batteries are promising techniques for high power density storage. The main challenges are to develop solid electrolyte with high ionic conductivity and highly efficient catalyzed cathode. In this work, highly conductive carbon aerogels with dual-pore structure have been synthesized by using sol-gel method, and have been used as air cathode in Lithium-air batteries. This dual- pore structure can provide two types of channels for storing discharge products and for gas-liquid diffusion, thus reducing the risk of clogging. Nearly 100 cycles with a capacity of 0.4mAh at a current density of 0.1 mA cm-2 have been obtained. For developing stable and highly conductive solid electrolyte, sulfides, especially Li4SnS4 and its phosphorous derivative Li10SnP2S12 have been particularly investigated. These compounds have been synthesized by using a two-step technique including ball milling and a relatively low temperature heat treatment. The heat treatment has been carefully optimized in order to enhance the ionic conductivity. The best-obtained conductivity is 8.27×10-4 S/cm at 25°C and the electrolytes show high electrochemical stability over a wide working range of 0.5 – 7V. Thin films have also been deposited by using the sputtering technique, with generally improved ionic conductivity. The performance of the Li-S batteries assembled with these bulk electrolytes is still to be improved, particularly by improving the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte.

This thesis deals with the development and current issues of Li-ion and Li-S accumulators, especially the separators. In the theoretical part is described history of Li-ion batteries, their properties and materials for the positive electrode. Li-S batteries and their problems are also described in this diploma thesis. In the practical part, electrochemical methods were described, and several separator samples with various modifications were created. These samples were then photographed using an SEM electron microscope and evaluated using electrochemical methods.

This dissertation is composed of seven chapters, detailing advances within the area of sulfur polymer chemistry and processing, and highlights the relevance of the work to the fields of polymer science, energy storage, and optics that are enabled through the development of novel high sulfur-content copolymers as discussed in the following chapters. The first chapter is a review summarizing both the historical forays into utilization of elemental sulfur in high sulfur-content materials and the current research on the incorporation of sulfur into novel copolymers and composites for high value added applications such as energy production/storage, polymeric optical components, and dynamic/self-healing materials. Although recent efforts by the materials and polymer chemistry communities have afforded innovative sulfur containing materials, many studies fail to take advantage of the low cost and incredible abundance of sulfur by incorporating only minimal quantities into the end products. A fundamental challenge in the preparation of sulfur-containing polymers is simultaneous incorporation of high sulfur-content through facile chemical methods, to truly use the element as a novel feedstock in copolymerizations. Contributing to the challenge are the intrinsic limitations of sulfur (i.e., low miscibility with organic solvents, high crystallinity, and poor processability). The emphasis in chapter 1 is the critical development of utilizing sulfur as both a reagent and solvent in a bulk reaction, termed inverse vulcanization. Through this methodology we can directly prepare materials which retain the advantageous properties of elemental sulfur (i.e., high electrochemical capacity, high refractive index, and liable bond character), obviate the processing challenges, and enable precise control over composition and properties in a facile manner. The second chapter focuses on advancement in colloid synthesis, specifically an example mediated by in-situ reduction of organometallic precursors (ClAu^IPPh₃) by elemental sulfur at high temperatures. In chapter 2, elemental sulfur is employed both as a reactant and novel solvent, generating composite composed of well-defined gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) fully dispersed in a sulfur matrix. While the synthesis of Au NPs in molten sulfur was a novel development the challenge of analyzing the particles directly within the sulfur composite matrix by microscopy techniques required improvement of the composites mechanical properties. To overcome this issue, a one-pot reaction in which the Au NPs were initially synthesized, was vulcanized through an ambient atmosphere-tolerant bulk copolymerization by the addition of a difunctional comonomer (divinylbenzene). The improved composite integrity enabled microtoming and transmission electron microscopy analysis of the particles within the crosslinked reaction matrix. Due to the facile capabilities of directly dissolving the comonomers within the molten sulfur the inverse vulcanization methodology provides a simple route to prepare stable, high sulfur-content copolymers in a single one-pot reaction. The third chapter expands upon the methodology for direct dissolution of difunctional comonomers into molten elemental sulfur to afford chemically stable copolymer. A major challenge associated with the high temperature (i.e., 185 °C) bulk copolymerization reactions between sulfur and vinyl comonomers (i.e., divinylbenzene, DVB) is the high volatility of the organic monomers at elevated temperatures (BP of DVB = 195 °C). To obviate this problem required a novel monomer with an increased boiling point for successful scaling of the inverse vulcanization methodology. The work presented in chapter 3 details the employment of 1,3-diisopropenylbenzene (DIB, BP = 231 °C) to enable larger scale bulk inverse vulcanization reactions, allowing facile control over thermomechanical properties by simple variation in copolymer composition (50–90-wt% S₈, 10–50-wt% DIB). Poly(Sulfur-random-1,3-diisopropenylbenzene) ((poly(S-r-DIB)) copolymers prepared via the inverse vulcanization methodology possess substantially improved processing capabilities compared with elemental sulfur. A facile demonstration of improved processability is the generation of free-standing micropatterned structures using a high sulfur content liquid pre-polymer resin that can be poured into a mold and cured into the desired final form. The highest weight percentage copolymer (i.e., 90-wt% S₈) was also demonstrated to improve cycle lifetimes and capacity retention (823 mAh•g⁻¹ at 100 cycles) of a Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) cell when the copolymer was utilized as the active material instead of elemental sulfur. Chapter four focuses on the optimization of Li-S cell performance as a function of copolymer composition and provides a more thorough understanding of the means by which copolymer active material improves battery performance. A substantial challenge associated with Li-S cells is the fast capacity fade and short cycle lifetimes that result from loss of the active material (i.e., sulfur) during normal cycling processes. The field has generally addressed these issues by encapsulation of the sulfur in a protective shell (e.g., polymeric, carbonaceous, or metal oxide in nature) in an attempt to sequester the active material. However, encapsulation of sulfur is non-trivial and leads to low loadings of sulfur, resulting in a low energy density within the final cell. To address the challenges associated with maintaining high capacity and long cycle lifetimes while employing an active material which is low cost, generated in a facile manner, and has a high sulfur content required a novel approach. In the work presented in chapter 4 we prepared high sulfur content copolymers via the inverse vulcanization methodology, which meet all the requirements necessary of an active material, and investigated the performance of Li-S batteries as a function of the copolymer composition. A survey of several poly(S-r-DIB) copolymer compositions were prepared with DIB compositions ranging from 1-50-wt% DIB (i.e., 50-99 wt% sulfur) and screened to determine optimal compositions for optimal Li-S battery performance. From this analysis it was determined that copolymers with 10-wt% DIB (90-wt% S₈) were optimal for producing Li-S batteries with high capacity and long cycle lifetimes. 10-wt% DIB copolymers batteries ultimately achieved long cyclic lifetimes and maintained high capacity (>600 mAh/g at 500 cycles). Chapter five details the optimization of conditions necessary to generate large scale (>100 g) inversely vulcanized sulfur copolymers and their application towards Li-S batteries. As previously stated a significant challenge in the Li-S battery field is the production of a Li-S active material with improved performance that is low cost, synthesized in a facile manner, and possesses high sulfur content. To date poly(S-r-DIB) copolymers prepared via the inverse vulcanization methodology afford some of the longest cycle lifetimes and highest capacity retention for polymeric active materials. However, initial inverse vulcanization reactions investigated for preparing active materials were performed on 10 gram scales. The goal of the work presented in chapter 5 was to prepare materials on a scale applicable to fabrication of several prismatic Li-S cells, each of which requires several grams of active material. However, scaling up of the reaction to a kilogram and utilizing the traditional inverse vulcanization conditions (i.e., 185 °C) results in catastrophic degradation as a consequence of the Trommsdorf effect. To address this challenge required decreasing the radical concentration within the bulk copolymerization, which necessitated performing the kilogram scale inverse vulcanization reactions at lower temperatures (i.e., 130 °C) over a longer reaction period. Decreasing the temperature generates materials that are nearly identical in thermomechanical properties to smaller scale samples and the battery performance is likewise comparable (>600 mAh/g at 500 cycles). The key advantage of performing the inverse vulcanization reaction at lower temperatures is that additional monomers, with lower boiling points or degradation issues, can be utilized and the increased gelation time, enables facile incorporation of additives (e.g., carbon black or nanoparticles) into the reaction. Chapter six focuses on the development of poly(S-r-DIB) copolymers as novel mid-infrared (mid-IR) transmitting materials and the analysis of the optical properties as a function of copolymer composition. A challenge in the optical science community is the limited number of materials applicable to the development of innovative optical components capable of functioning in the mid and far-IR regions. Semi-conductor and chalcogenide glasses have been widely applied as device components in infrared optics due to their high refractive indices (n ~2.0–4.0) and high transparency in the infrared region (1–10 μm). However, such materials are also expensive, difficult to fabricate, and toxic in comparison to organic polymers. On the other hand organic polymers are easily processed, low cost, and generated from easily accessible raw materials. Unfortunately, polymeric materials generally have low refractive indices (n<1.65) and are prepared from monomers with functional groups that are highly absorbing at mid-IR and longer wavelengths. Chapter 6 details the realization through the inverse vulcanization methodology of the first example of a material that is high refractive index and low mid-IR absorption, but also low cost and easily processable. Critical to achieving a polymeric material which was appropriate for mid-IR applications was the high sulfur content and the absence of functional groups, both of which are afforded by the facile copolymerization process. By simply controlling copolymer composition the optical properties of the material were tailorable; allowing adjustment of the refractive index from ~1.75 (50-wt% DIB) to ~1.875 (20-wt% DIB). Finally, through facile techniques, high quality copolymers lenses were prepared and we demonstrated the high optical transparency over several regions of the optical spectrum, from the visible (400–700 nm) all the way to the mid-IR (3–5μm). Poly(S-r-DIB) copolymers demonstrated high transparency to mid-IR light, but still maintain the processing capabilities of an organic polymer, the first example of such a material to possess both qualities. Ultimately the inverse vulcanization methodology offers a novel route to low cost, high refractive index, IR transparent materials, opening up unique opportunities for polymeric optical components within the optical sciences field. The seventh chapter discusses utilization of the inverse vulcanization methodology as a means to prepare and control the dynamic behavior of sulfur copolymers for potential applications towards self-healing materials. The incorporation of dynamic covalent bonds into conventional polymer architectures, either directly within the backbone or as side-chain groups, offers the stability of covalent bonds but with the ability of stimuli-responsive behavior to afford a change in chemical makeup or morphology. Traditionally the installation of such functionality requires the use of disparate, orthogonally polymerizable functional groups (i.e., vinyl) and discrete design of the comonomers utilized to generate a responsive copolymer. Therefore, a challenge in developing novel dynamic copolymers is the ability to install stimuli-responsive functionality directly as a result of the copolymerization without the need for rigorous synthetic monomer design and complex copolymerization techniques. In chapter 7 we discuss the analysis of poly(S-r-DIB) copolymers with rheological techniques to assess the composition dependent dynamic behavior. Aided by the bulk nature of copolymerization, the feed ratio of S₈ and DIB directly dictates copolymer microstructure; thus the sulfur rank between the organic groups (i.e., DIB) was tailorable from a single sulfur (thioether) to multiple sulfurs (pentasulfide). Control over sulfur content and number of S–S enables control over the dynamic behavior, as monitored via in-situ rheological techniques. The highest sulfur-content copolymers (80-wt% S₈, 20-wt% DIB) showed the fastest response when under shear stress due to the large number of S–S bonds. On the other hand when no dynamic bonds were present in the copolymer (i.e.; 35-wt% S₈, 65-wt% DIB) there is no dynamic behavior and full recovery of the pristine mechanical properties was not observed. The facile synthesis and simple control over copolymer microstructure affords the inverse vulcanization methodology an advantage over other dynamic materials, and provides potential secondary qualities (i.e., high refractive index) built directly into the structure.

Rechargeable lithium sulfur (Li-S) batteries are potentially safe, environmentally friendly and economical alternative energy storage systems that can potentially be combined with renewable sources including wind solar and wave energy. Sulfur has a high theoretical specific capacity of ~1680 mAh/g, attainable through the reversible redox reaction denoted as S8+16Li ↔8Li¬2S, which yields an average cell voltage of ~2.2 V. However, two detrimental factors prevent the achievement of the full potential of the Li-S batteries. First, the poor electrical/ionic conductivity of elemental sulfur and Li2S severely hampers the utilization of active material. Second, dissolution of intermediate long-chain polysulfides (Li2Sn, 2<n<7) into the electrolyte and their shuttle between cathode and anode lead to fast capacity degradation and low Coulombic efficiency. As a result of this shuttle process, insoluble and insulating Li2S/Li2S2 precipitate on the surface of electrodes causing loss of active material and rendering the electrode surface electrochemically inactive. Extensive research efforts have been devoted to overcome the aforementioned problems, such as combination of sulfur with conductive polymers, and encapsulation or coating of elemental sulfur in different nanostructured carbonaceous materials. Noteworthy, sulfur-polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) composites, wherein sulfur is chemically bond to the polymer backbone and PAN acts as a conducting matrix, have shown some success in suppressing the shuttle effect. However, due to the limited electrical conductivity of polyacrylonitrile, the capacity retention and rate performance of the SPAN systems are still very modest, which shows only 67 % retention of the initial capacity after 50 cycles for the binary system. Recently, graphene has been intensively investigated for enhancing the rate and cycling performance of lithium sulfur batteries. Graphene, which has a two-dimensional, one-atom-thick nanosheet structure, offers extraordinary electronic, thermal and mechanical properties. Herein, a sulfur-polyacrylonitrile/reduced graphene oxide (SPAN/RGO) composite with unique electrochemical properties was prepared. PAN is deposited on the surface of RGO sheets followed by ball milling with sulfur and heat treatment. Infrared spectroscopy and microscopy studies indicate that the composite consists of RGO decorated with SPAN particles of 100 nm average size. The PAN/RGO composite shows good overall electrochemical performance when used in Li/S batteries. It exhibits ~85% retention of the initial reversible capacity of 1467 mAh/g over 100 cycles at a constant current rate of 0.1 C and retains 1100 mAh/g after 200 cycles. In addition, the composite displays excellent Coulombic efficiency and rate capability, delivering up to 828 mAh/g reversible capacity at 2 C. The improved performance stems from composition and structure of the composite, wherein RGO renders a robust electron transport framework and PAN acts as sulfur/polysulfide absorber.

Rechargeable lithium sulfur (Li-S) batteries are potentially safe, environmentally friendly and economical alternative energy storage systems that can potentially be combined with renewable sources including wind solar and wave energy. Sulfur has a high theoretical specific capacity of ~1680 mAh/g, attainable through the reversible redox reaction denoted as S8+16Li ↔8Li¬2S, which yields an average cell voltage of ~2.2 V. However, two detrimental factors prevent the achievement of the full potential of the Li-S batteries. First, the poor electrical/ionic conductivity of elemental sulfur and Li2S severely hampers the utilization of active material. Second, dissolution of intermediate long-chain polysulfides (Li2Sn, 2<n<7) into the electrolyte and their shuttle between cathode and anode lead to fast capacity degradation and low Coulombic efficiency. As a result of this shuttle process, insoluble and insulating Li2S/Li2S2 precipitate on the surface of electrodes causing loss of active material and rendering the electrode surface electrochemically inactive. Extensive research efforts have been devoted to overcome the aforementioned problems, such as combination of sulfur with conductive polymers, and encapsulation or coating of elemental sulfur in different nanostructured carbonaceous materials. Noteworthy, sulfur-polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) composites, wherein sulfur is chemically bond to the polymer backbone and PAN acts as a conducting matrix, have shown some success in suppressing the shuttle effect. However, due to the limited electrical conductivity of polyacrylonitrile, the capacity retention and rate performance of the SPAN systems are still very modest, which shows only 67 % retention of the initial capacity after 50 cycles for the binary system. Recently, graphene has been intensively investigated for enhancing the rate and cycling performance of lithium sulfur batteries. Graphene, which has a two-dimensional, one-atom-thick nanosheet structure, offers extraordinary electronic, thermal and mechanical properties. Herein, a sulfur-polyacrylonitrile/reduced graphene oxide (SPAN/RGO) composite with unique electrochemical properties was prepared. PAN is deposited on the surface of RGO sheets followed by ball milling with sulfur and heat treatment. Infrared spectroscopy and microscopy studies indicate that the composite consists of RGO decorated with SPAN particles of 100 nm average size. The PAN/RGO composite shows good overall electrochemical performance when used in Li/S batteries. It exhibits ~85% retention of the initial reversible capacity of 1467 mAh/g over 100 cycles at a constant current rate of 0.1 C and retains 1100 mAh/g after 200 cycles. In addition, the composite displays excellent Coulombic efficiency and rate capability, delivering up to 828 mAh/g reversible capacity at 2 C. The improved performance stems from composition and structure of the composite, wherein RGO renders a robust electron transport framework and PAN acts as sulfur/polysulfide absorber.

Ces travaux ont permis d’approfondir les connaissances du mécanisme de déchargepeu conventionnel de l’accumulateur Li/S et de ses limitations. L’ensemble desrésultats a convergé vers une unique conclusion, à savoir que le système Li/S estprincipalement limité par le phénomène de passivation de l’électrode positive en finde décharge. Les polysulfures de lithium à chaines courtes précipitent à la surface del’électrode positive de soufre. Isolants électroniques, ils sont responsables de la perteprogressive de surface active de l’électrode et de la fin prématurée de la décharge.Ainsi, les performances électrochimiques ont pu être significativement améliorées entravaillant sur la morphologie de l’électrode positive, et sur la composition del’électrolyte. En augmentant la surface spécifique de l’électrode, la quantité depolysulfures de lithium qui peut précipiter en fin de décharge est augmentée, et lapassivation totale de l’électrode est retardée. En augmentant la solubilité despolysulfures de lithium dans l’électrolyte, la précipitation des espèces est retardée etla décharge prolongée. Dans cette optique, les solvants de type PEGDME semblentêtre les plus prometteurs à ce jour. Enfin, un mécanisme possible de réduction dusoufre en électrolyte de type éther a pu être proposé. / This work aimed at better understanding the Li/S cell discharge mechanism and itslimiting parameters. A general conclusion was following from these data: the Li/Ssystem is mainly limited by the passivation process of the sulfur positive electrode,occurring at the end of discharge. Insulating lithium polysulfides precipitate on thepositive electrode surface, thus leading to a gradual loss of the electrode activesurface and to the early end of discharge. As a consequence, the electrochemicalperformances can be significantly improved by working either on the positiveelectrode morphology or on the organic electrolyte composition. Increasing thespecific surface of the positive electrode enables to increase the amount ofpolysulfide compounds that can precipitate on the electrode, thus delaying the fullpassivation of the sulfur electrode and the end of discharge. Working on the organicelectrolyte composition enables to increase the polysulfide solubility and to preventthem from quickly precipitating, thus delaying the end of discharge too. To thispurpose, PEGDME solvents seem to be quite promising. Finally, a possiblemechanism for sulfur reduction in ether-based electrolytes could be proposed.