Sulfurization of polymers

Polydiethylsiloxane reacts with elemental sulfur at 300–320 °C (ZnCl₂ slightly accelerates the process) with evolution of hydrogen sulfide and formation of black lustrous paramagnetic powders (sulfur content up to 38.50%), which possess a noticeable electric conductivity (3.20·10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹ when doped with I₂) and redox properties. Polydimethylsiloxanes are stable under the same conditions. In rechargeable lithium batteries, the sulfurized polydiethylsiloxane behaves as an active cathode material allowing charging and discharging of the battery. The specific capacities of the cathodic and anodic processes (80–100 (mA h) g⁻¹) change insignificantly. The hydrolytic stability, elemental analysis, IR and ESR spectra, DSC-TGA and derivatographic analyses data, the electric conductivity, and the character of the electrochemical activity of the polymers synthesized indicate that the polymers contain the polyvinylene disulfide blocks cross-linked by the polysiloxane chain.