Recent Approaches for the Direct Use of Elemental Sulfur in the Synthesis and Processing of Advanced Materials

Multidimensional Polycation β-Cyclodextrin Polymer as an Effective Aqueous Binder for High Sulfur Loading Cathode in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Although the lithium-sulfur battery has attracted significant attention because of its high theoretical energy density and low cost of elemental sulfur, its real application is still hindered by multiple challenges, especially the polysulfides shuttled between the cathode and anode electrodes. By originating from β-cyclodextrin and introducing a quaternary ammonium cation into β-cyclodextrin polymer, a new multifunctional aqueous polycation binder (β-CDp-N(+)) for the sulfur cathode is obtained. The unique hyperbranched network structure of the new binder β-CDp-N(+) as well as its multidimensional noncovalent interactions and the introduced cations endowed β-CDp-N(+) with some new abilities: a sulfur-electrode-stabilized ability, a polysulfides-immobilized ability, and a volume-accommodated ability, which help to ease the primary problems of the lithium-sulfur battery, i.e., the shuttle of polysulfides and the volume change of the sulfur during charge and discharge. It is demonstrated that cycling performance and rate capability of the cathodes can be the improved by using β-CDp-N(+) as the binder compared to other well-known binders. Even with high sulfur loading of 5.5 mg cm(-2), the cathode with β-CDp-N(+) still can deliver an areal capacity of 4.4 mAh cm(-2) at 50 mA g(-1) after 45 cycles, which is much higher than that achieved using the cathode with the conventional binder (0.9 mAh cm(-2)).

Polymers and the p-block elements

A survey of the state-of-the-art in the development of synthetic methods to incorporate p-block elements into polymers is given. The incorporation of main group elements (groups 13-16) into long chains provides access to materials with fascinating chemical and physical properties imparted by the presence of inorganic groups. Perhaps the greatest impedance to the widespread academic and commercial use of p-block element-containing macromolecules is the synthetic challenge associated with linking inorganic elements into long chains. In recent years, creative methodologies have been developed to incorporate heteroatoms into polymeric structures, with perhaps the greatest advances occurring with hybrid organic-inorganic polymers composed of boron, silicon, phosphorus and sulfur. With these developments, materials are currently being realized that possess exciting chemical, photophysical and thermal properties that are not possible for conventional organic polymers. This review focuses on highlighting the most significant recent advances whilst giving an appropriate background for the general reader. Of particular focus will be advances made over the last two decades, with emphasis on the novel synthetic methodologies employed.

Difluorocarbene-Derived Trifluoromethylthiolation and [(18)F]Trifluoromethylthiolation of Aliphatic Electrophiles

The first trifluoromethylthiolation and [(18)F]trifluoromethylthiolation of alkyl electrophiles with in situ generated difluorocarbene in the presence of elemental sulfur and external (radioactive) fluoride ion is described. This transition-metal-free approach is high yielding, compatible with a variety of functional groups, and operated under mild reaction conditions. The conceptual advantage of this exogenous-fluoride-mediated transformation enables unprecedented syntheses of [(18)F]CF3S-labeled molecules from most commonly used [(18)F]fluoride ions. The rapid radiochemical reaction time (≤1 min) and high functional-group tolerance allow access to a variety of aliphatic [(18)F]CF3S compounds in high yields.

Nanoparticle–sulphur “inverse vulcanisation” polymer composites

Sulfur based mouldable nanocomposite polymers by “inverse vulcanisation”. Functional materials from waste.

High refractive index and low-birefringence polyamides containing thiazole and naphthalene units

Highly refractive and solution processable polyamides (PAs) were synthesized by the introduction of thiazole rings, naphthalene groups, and thioether linkages.