Vinyl ethers with polysulfide and hydroxyl functions and polymers therefrom as binders for lithium–sulfur batteries

Abstract

Abstract Bis‐[3‐(vinyloxyethoxy)‐2‐hydroxypropyl‐]polysulfides (BVPS) have been prepared by reacting ethylene glycol vinyl glycidyl ether (EGVGE) with Na 2 S 4 in the presence of NaHCO 3 and a phase transfer catalyst, triethylbenzylammonium chloride. The polysulfides obtained are inactive in radical polymerization but polymerize readily upon thermal initiation (140°C, 1 h) or in the presence of cationic catalysts [BF 3 ·OEt 2 , CF 3 COOH, H(AuCl 4 )·4H 2 O, LiBF 4 ‐dimethoxyethane, 20–70°C]. Polymerization leads to the formation of crosslinked polymers. It has been shown that BVPS and their polymers can be used as active binders in cathode compositions of lithium–sulfur power sources. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 4051–4055, 2006