Method for manufacturing a polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material

A method for manufacturing an active material for an electrode, including a method for manufacturing a polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material, wherein the polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material has an sp2 hybrid proportion greater than or equal to 85% with respect to the total carbon atoms included in the composite material, the method comprising:

• a) reacting polyacrylonitrile with sulfur at a temperature of greater than or equal to 550° C., wherein the sulfur is used in excess;
• b) immediately removing the excess sulfur from a product obtained in method step a) by purifying the product;
• and
• c) drying the purified product.

A polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material, manufactured using a method for manufacturing a polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material, wherein the polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material has an sp2 hybrid proportion greater than or equal to 85% with respect to the total carbon atoms included in the composite material, the method comprising:

• a) reacting polyacrylonitrile with sulfur at a temperature of greater than or equal to 550° C., wherein the sulfur is used in excess;
• b) immediately removing the excess sulfur from a product obtained in method step a) by purifying the product;
• and
• c) drying the purified product.

A method of using a polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material manufactured using a method for manufacturing a polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material, wherein the polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material has an sp2 hybrid proportion greater than or equal to 85% with respect to the total carbon atoms included in the composite material, the manufacturing method comprising:

• a) reacting polyacrylonitrile with sulfur at a temperature of greater than or equal to 550° C., wherein the sulfur is used in excess;
• b) immediately removing the excess sulfur from a product obtained in method step a) by purifying the product;
• and
• c) drying the purified product,
• wherein the polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material is used as an active material in an electrode.

An energy store, comprising an electrode with an active material which includes a polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material manufactured using a method for manufacturing a polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material, wherein the polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material has an sp2 hybrid proportion greater than or equal to 85% with respect to the total carbon atoms included in the composite material, the method comprising:

• a) reacting polyacrylonitrile with sulfur at a temperature of greater than or equal to 550° C., wherein the sulfur is used in excess;
• b) immediately removing the excess sulfur from a product obtained in method step a) by purifying the product;
• and
• c) drying the purified product.