| 초록 |
We present out recent efforts on the utilization of elemental sulfur as an alternative feedstock for polymeric nanomaterials with relevance to batteries and photonics. Elemental sulfur is currently generated in incredible excess from petrochemical refining processes (millions of tons annually) and is primarily used for sulfuric acid and fertilizer commodity chemicals. Emerging technologies, such as, lithium-sulfur batteries are being explored as next generation, light weight energy storage systems, where sulfur serves as the electroactive component in cathode electrodes. However, sulfur suffers from inherently poor electrical and mechanical properties. Hence, the sheer abundance of elemental sulfur coupled with new technological directions for sulfur utilization creates an opportunity to develop new polymerization methodologies to modify and enhance the properties of sulfur-based nanomaterials. We will discuss recent studies on the equilibrium (co)polymerizations and the processing methods to create nanocomposites using sulfur, demonstrating the ability of polymer chemistry to modify the properties of these materials. |
