Electrosynthesis of 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphanyl) tetrasulfide via sulfur radical addition as cathode material for rechargeable lithium battery.

ABSTRACT: Organic electrodes are promising as next generation energy storage materials originating from their enormous chemical diversity and electrochemical specificity. Although organic synthesis methods have been extended to a broad range, facile and selective methods are still needed to expose the corners of chemical space. Herein, we report the organopolysulfide, 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)tetrasulfide, which is synthesized by electrochemical oxidation of diphenyl dithiophosphinic acid featuring the cleavage of a P-S single bond and a sulfur radical addition reaction. Density functional theory proves that the external electric field triggers the intramolecular rearrangement of diphenyl dithiophosphinic acid through dehydrogenation and sulfur migration along the P-S bond axis. Impressively, the Li/bis(diphenylphosphanyl)tetrasulfide cell exhibits the high discharge voltage of 2.9 V and stable cycling performance of 500 cycles with the capacity retention of 74.8%. Detailed characterizations confirm the reversible lithiation/delithiation process. This work demonstrates that electrochemical synthesis offers the approach for the preparation of advanced functional materials.

SUBMITTER: Wang DY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8163837 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature