Diffusion Of Sulfur Research Articles

Electrically stable Ag nanowire network anodes densely passivated by a conductive amorphous InSnTiO layer for flexible organic photovoltaics

An electrically stable Ag nanowire (Ag NW) network was fabricated by passivating with a conductive amorphous InSnTiO (ISTO) layer. It could be used in flexible transparent conductive electrodes for flexible organic photovoltaics. By plasma damage-free sputtering of amorphous ISTO on Ag NWs, sulfurization of Ag NWs was effectively prevented without sacrificing sheet resistance (44.5 Ω/sq.), optical transmittance (87.2%), or mechanical flexibility. Flexible organic solar cells (OSCs) fabricated on ISTO covered Ag NW network anodes showed slightly higher power conversion efficiency (5.94%) than reference OSCs with ITO anodes (5.79%). These results demonstrate that passivation of Ag NWs by amorphous conductive ISTO is a useful approach to improving the reliability of Ag NW network electrodes for high-performance flexible OSCs because the amorphous compact structure can effectively prevent the diffusion of sulfur from ambient air.

Control of the Mg-Treated Iron Casting Skin Formation by S-Diffusion Blocking at the Metal–Mould Interface

Having established that sulphur presence in the mould materials appears to have an important contribution in graphite degeneration at least in the casting surface layer, a research program is undertaken to explore the possible beneficial effect of sulphur diffusion blocking at the metal–mould interface. Test samples, with and without a thin steel sheet (up to 3 mm thickness) application on the inner surface of the mould cavity, before iron melt pouring, are considered for structure analysis. A higher nodulizing potential (0.048% Mgres, 0.015% Ceres, and 0.006% Lares) decreases the occurrence of surface graphite degeneration in castings obtained in rigid chemically bonded resin sand moulds, using P-toluol sulfonic acid (PTSA) hardener (S-including), but it is not enough to avoid this phenomenon (200–400 μm skin in present experimental conditions). The casting skin appears to have different values, depending on the evaluation technique (un- and Nital-etching direct measurement, or graphite parameters variation on the casting section). In the presence of a thin steel sheet at the metal–mould interface, the casting skin thickness decreases or is just excluded. It is supposed that it acts as a barrier, blocking S-diffusion from the mould media into the iron melt. Without this S-diffusion, the graphite degeneration in the casting surface layer could be avoided, or at least diminished. For industrial application, the increasing of residual content of nodulizing elements is a limited solution, and it is recommended to use barriers to block S transfer on the mould/metal surface, such as dense coatings or coatings with desulphurization capacity.

A melt-diffusion strategy for tunable sulfur loading on CC@MoS2 for lithium–sulfur​ batteries

For lithium–sulfur batteries, 3D cathodes might be of interest for containing the active material and trapping the polysulfides during cycling, owing to their binder-free and freestanding features. In this work, the MoS2 grown on the 3D structured Carbon Cloth (CC@MoS2) is firstly used to fabricate the Li–S battery and the sulfur loading can be freely tuned by adjusting thermal annealing time at 200 °C. A two-step melt-diffusion strategy is reported for fabrication of cathodes, which involves in melting and diffusion of sulfur covered by CC@MoS2 composites instead of dissolution of sulfur in the toxic organic solvents. Compared with the non-polar carbon cloth, the CC@MoS2 composites exhibit better adsorption capacity for polysulfides due to more edge active sites, which could effectively facilitate polysulfide redox kinetics. The SEM images of the CC@MoS2 cathode after 300 cycles show that MoS2 can still maintain the nanosheet morphology. After 300 cycles at 0.5 C, the CC@MoS2 cathodes loaded with 2 mg sulfur exhibit a better reversible capacity of 698 mA h g−1 compared with CC@MoS2 loaded with 1 mg sulfur (604 mA h g−1) and CC@MoS2 loaded with 4 mg sulfur (420 mA h g−1). This work proposes an environmentally friendly method to fabricate the lithium–sulfur battery cathode material and the sulfur loading can be freely adjusted.

Covalent Encapsulation of Sulfur in a MOF‐Derived S, N‐Doped Porous Carbon Host Realized via the Vapor‐Infiltration Method Results in Enhanced Sodium–Sulfur Battery Performance

AbstractPractical applications of room temperature sodium–sulfur batteries are still inhibited by the poor conductivity and slow reaction kinetics of sulfur, and dissolution of intermediate polysulfides in the commonly used electrolytes. To address these issues, starting from a novel 3D Zn‐based metal–organic framework with 2,5‐thiophenedicarboxylic acid and 1,4‐bis(pyrid‐4‐yl) benzene as ligands, a S, N‐doped porous carbon host with 3D tubular holes for sulfur storage is fabricated. In contrast to the commonly used melt‐diffusion method to confine sulfur physically, a vapor‐infiltration method is utilized to achieve sulfur/carbon composite with covalent bonds, which can join electrochemical reaction without low voltage activation. A polydopamine derived N‐doped carbon layer is further coated on the composite to confine the high‐temperature‐induced gas‐phase sulfur inside the host. S and N dopants increase the polarity of the carbon host to restrict diffusion of sulfur, and its 3D porous structure provides a large storage area for sulfur. As a result, the obtained composite shows outstanding electrochemical performance with 467 mAh g−1 (1262 mAh g−1(sulfur)) at 0.1 A g−1, 270 mAh g−1 (730 mAh g−1(sulfur)) after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1 and 201 mAh g−1 (543 mAh g−1(sulfur)) at 5.0 A g−1.

Corrosion of Multilayered TiAlSiN Films at 800–1000 °C in N2/0.1%H2S Gas

A multilayered TiAlSiN thin film consisting of alternating nanocrystalline Ti(Si)N and Al(Si)N nanolayers was deposited on steel by arc ion plating. The film composition was 26Ti–16.3Al–1.2Si–56.50N in at%. The film was corroded at 800–1000 °C for 4–100 h in N2/0.1%H2S gas to study its corrosion behavior in hostile (H, S)-containing environments. The corrosion was primarily governed by oxidation, because oxides of Ti and Al were much more stable than the corresponding sulfides. The oxygen source for oxidation was impurity oxygen in N2/0.1%H2S gas. Initially, a superficial Al2O3 scale formed. Soon, the scale developed into the outer TiO2-rich layer and the inner Al2O3-rich layer, beneath which formed an oxygen affected zone. As corrosion progressed, Si tended to accumulate in the lower part of the inner Al2O3-rich layer owing to its thermodynamic nobility. Preferential oxidation of Al to Al2O3, formation of fine, dense Al2O3 and TiO2 grains in the oxide scale, and strong Ti–Si, Al–N and Ti–N bonds in the TiAlSiN film caused the scale to grow quite slowly and suppressed fast inward diffusion of sulfur and hydrogen as well as fast outward diffusion of Ti, Al, and Si. Therefore, the film displayed good corrosion resistance at 800–900 °C for up to 100 h. However, it corroded completely, with partial scale spallation and whisker growth at 1000 °C for 50 h.

Solution-processed Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 solar cells prepared via a surface sulfurization process

The photovoltaic (PV) characteristics of solution-coated Cu(In,Ga)Se2 films were effectively improved via a surface sulfurization in this study to overcome the complexity to control the appropriated amounts of sulfur ionsduring the sulfurization process.After sulfurization treatment, the Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 films with double-graded band gap were obtained because the incorporation of sulfur-ion intoCu(In,Ga)Se2 films increasedthe band gap near the surface region.The formation of selenium vacancies in Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 films were effectively diminished by adjusting H2S concentration. Band gap gradients and defect passivation reduced the interface recombination and improved the carrier collection in the devices. As the H2S concentration was raised from 0 to 1.0 vol%, the open-circuit voltage was increased from 541 to 596 mV, thereby boosting the conversion efficiency from 10.71to 12.40%. The reduction of vacancy defects and surface roughness suppressed the formation of shunt paths, resulting ina decrease indiode factor and leakage current. Compared with the Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 films deriving from vacuum processes, solution-coated Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 films with relatively small grains facilitated the sulfur diffusion along the grain boundaries into the films.Therefore, the appropriate H2S concentration used in the solution-coated Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 films was less than vacuum processes. This investigation demonstrates that adjusting the concentrationof H2S is vital for enhancing the PV properties of thesolution-processed Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 PV cells.

Electrodeposition of White Bronzes on the Way to CZTS Absorber Films

In order to substitute traditional cyanide-based baths and obtain a new eco-compatible route to synthesize via electrodeposition a CZTS (copper-zinc-tin sulfide) absorber films, this paper describes the development of a green electrodeposition bath for Cu–Sn alloys. CZTS, being a p-type semiconducting material could be used in novel and sustainable photovoltaic devices. In this work we analyzed the electrochemical behavior of different methanesulfonic acid-based prototype deposition bath containing tin methanesulfonate as tin precursor, copper sulfate or methanesulfonate as copper precursor, and hydroquinone, nitrilotriacetic acid and 2-picolinic acid as organic additives. Electrodeposition was conducted with different deposition parameters such as deposition potential, current density, potentiostatic or galvanostatic mode. Surface and cross-section morphology as well as composition of the films were characterized using SEM-EDS. The composition of the samples in terms of crystalline phases was analyzed using XRD, highlighting the information obtained by superlattice diffraction peaks based on the crystallography of Cu–Sn intermetallic phases. From prototype bath S4 a uniform composition around Cu:Sn = 2:1 was observed with phase as the dominant phase, which could possibly facilitate the synthesis of CZTS due to its aligned body-center vacancies that could serve as sulfur diffusion path during sulfurization within each crystal.

3D Hierarchical CNT‐Based Host with High Sulfur Loading for Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries

AbstractA host material capable of efficiently transporting electrons, uniformly impregnating sulfur and effectively anchoring lithium polysulfide, is the key to realizing high‐loading lithium‐sulfur batteries. In this paper, we construct a three‐dimensional hierarchical host formed by one‐dimensional nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes(NCNTs) grown in situ on both sides of two‐dimensional oxides nanosheets. The uniformly grown NCNTs not only provide excellent overall conductivity, but also prevent stacking between two‐dimensional nanosheets, providing hierarchical pores for diffusion of molten sulfur, which is beneficial to the uniform impregnating of sulfur. Meanwhile, the two‐dimensional oxides nanosheets(NS) and cobalt nanoparticles have a strong chemical affinity with polysulfide, promoting the polysulfides adsorption and redox kinetics. Benefiting from the synergistic effects, Li−S batteries based on Co‐NCNTs/NS@S cathode delivers a high discharge capability of 1552 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C with a high sulfur content of 80 %, excellent rate capability of 860 mAh g−1 at 2 C and outstanding cycle life with a low capacity decay rate of 0.04 % per cycle over 550 cycles. Even at high sulfur loading of 4.8 mg cm−2, the cathode still exhibits an areal capacity of 4.6 mAh cm−2 after 100 cycles at 0.2 C.

Graphite degeneration in the superficial layer of high Si-ductile iron casting as influence of inoculation and protective coating against sulphur diffusion into the iron melt

The objective of the present paper is to evaluate the occurrence of degenerate graphite in a surface layer on high Si ductile iron (0.032%Mgres, 3.37%C, 3.44%Si, 0.44%Mn, 4.43%CE), solidified in standard thermal analysis ceramic cup. S-bearing coating is applied on the inner surface of ceramic cup, with and without iron powder protective coating against S diffusion into the iron melt. Based carbonic material coating is also used as reference. Eutectic undercooling is normally 23% decreased by inoculation, but also depending on the nature of the applied coatings: less effect of S-bearing coating, while carbon and especially iron powder-bearing coatings reduced the beneficial effect of inoculation (higher addition, higher undercooling). Measured surface layer thickness in only Mg treated iron casting is higher by matrix evaluation (912μm) compared to 716μm obtained by graphite evaluation. Inoculation applied after Mg-treatment leads to decreased surface layer thickness to 195μm and 108μm, respectively. S-bearing coating increases the skin size of inoculated iron casting to 253μm (matrix evaluation) and 176μm (graphite evaluation). A layer iron powder addition on the S-bearing coating reduces the skin size to 132μm and 66μm, respectively, while supplementary iron powder addition avoids the surface layer formation, similarly to based carbonic material coating application.

Enhanced Performance and Safety in Intermediate Temperature Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Due to the high theoretical capacity and energy density, lithium-sulfur is considered one of the most promising battery chemistries. Difficulties with passivation and polysulfide shuttle have traditionally plagued the lithium anode and sulfur cathode, respectively, in conventional liquid electrolyte batteries. Solid-state electrolytes, such as lithium garnets, can largely address these issues as the dense ceramic layer helps block polysulfide shuttle and are stable to metallic lithium. However, poor electron transfer kinetics resulting from high electronic resistance and large volumetric changes of sulfur limit the development of solid-state Li-S batteries. At intermediate temperatures, the diffusivity of sulfur is thermally activated, facilitating electron transfer. Here we mimic encapsulated sulfur through infiltration of sulfur, carbon, and a series of binders into one side of a porous-dense-porous garnet structure. The garnet provides ionic conduction through the cell while helping to entrap sulfur with aid of binder. Cell cycling was performed to determine the effect of binder on specific capacity and capacity fade. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to elucidate the changes occurring within the cathode. While the pore size is larger than what is used for most encapsulated sulfur cathodes, thermal activation allows certain binder systems enhanced performance. In addition to conductive benefits, this large-scale enclosure of sulfur helps avoid corrosion issues possible with sulfur at elevated temperature.

Sulfur diffusion of hydrogen sulfide contaminants to cathode in a micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell

The contamination effect of hydrogen sulfide on micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cells was investigated using various electrochemical techniques. The cells, mechanically supported by cupper tube, were provided by National Metal and Materials Technology Center, and they contain the electrode materials of nickel and yttria stabilized zirconia cermet for anode and lanthanum strontium manganate for cathode. Pure hydrogen and hydrogen gas containing diluted hydrogen sulfide were repeatedly switched for the anode feed at the constant cell voltage of 0.9 V. Exposure times of 30 and 60 min were applied to study the effects of the poisoning interval. Then, the obtained results were analyzed. Herein, we reported two effects that had not been reported previously: the poisoning interval effect on the same hydrogen sulfide dosage and the poisoning sulfur-transport effect to the cathode surface. In the same dosage experiment, the recovery process was required before complete adsorption of sulfur species, and it supported not to fully block active sites of hydrogen adsorption and oxidation, and thus it would expand a cell lifespan on the contamination. In the analysis, different contamination steps between short and long term exposure time were presented, and thermodynamic parameters were calculated. Also, transport of elemental sulfur from the anode to the cathode surface was presented using the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy technique. The results appear to be strong evidence for the transport of sulfur from anode to cathode, and this means that the effect of sulfur diffusion to the cathode should be considered one major reason for performance degradation. This paper provides additional possible reasons regarding the performance degradation on hydrogen sulfide contamination, and serves as a guide to overcome the barrier of the sulfur contamination.

Lung clearance index for early detection of pulmonary complications after allo-HSCT in children.

Pulmonary chronic graft-vs-host disease (cGvHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is characterized by impairment of the small airways. Assessment of lung clearance index (LCI) gained from multiple breath washout (MBW) is more sensitive than spirometry in detection of small airways disease. The aim of this study was to describe the development of LCI during the first year after pediatric HSCT and how LCI relates to other pulmonary function parameters and cGvHD. This prospective, longitudinal study included 28 pediatric HSCT-recipients. Spirometry, Sulfur hexafluoride MBW and diffusion capacity of the lungs were performed before and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after HSCT. Respiratory symptoms and signs of cGvHD were recorded at each visit. Before HSCT, 47.8% had abnormal LCI and 12.5% had abnormal forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1 ). Patients with persisting respiratory symptoms 12 months post-HSCT had higher median LCI (factor 5.7, P = 0.0018) and lower FEV1 z-scores (-1.5, P = 0.033) post-HSCT compared to patients free of respiratory symptoms. Overall, post-HSCT LCI values were 3.49 times higher and FEV1 was 2.31 z-scores lower in eight patients with cGvHD in any organ system compared with patients without cGvHD (P = 0.0089 and P < 0.0001). LCI values during the first 3 months were not predictive of pulmonary cGvHD. LCI is a sensitive marker for cGvHD and high LCI values were associated with persisting respiratory symptoms after 1 year. Further evaluation of MBW in early detection of HSCT-related pulmonary complications require larger patient cohorts and closer follow-up during the first months after HSCT.

Mesoscale Elucidation of Self-Discharge-Induced Performance Decay in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

The polysulfide shuttle phenomenon substantially deteriorates the electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, resulting in continued self-discharge and capacity fade during cycling. In this study, a mesoscale analysis is presented to explore the mechanisms of self-discharge behavior in the Li-S battery during the resting state. It is found that the self-discharge rate is determined by the sulfur solubility, desorption capability, diffusion kinetics, and reaction rate on the anode surface. Three regimes have been identified: desorption control, diffusion control, and charge transfer control. Correspondingly, strategies are suggested to increase the capacity retention, such as enhancing the binding of sulfur molecules to the host, reducing dissolved sulfur diffusivity, and improving the chemical stability of active materials with a Li metal anode. Furthermore, the use of an interlayer with high diffusion barriers can effectively suppress the self-discharge rate due to the confinement effect.

Experimental characterization of diffusive and Soret isotopic fractionation of sulfur in a reduced, anhydrous basaltic melt

The diffusivity of isotopes of a given element in magmas can be significantly different, leading to observable effects on isotope ratios. Similarly, the Soret effect, or thermal diffusion, can also lead to considerable isotopic fractionations. Seeking to characterize isotope effects accompanying sulfur diffusion in basaltic melts, we conducted experiments involving (separately) both chemical and thermal diffusion at 1350–1500 °C and 1–1.5 GPa. In contrast to the isotopes of most elements investigated previously (Ca, Li, Mg, Fe, Cl), no significant isotope fractionations beyond analytical precision were found for sulfur isotope system (32S, 33S, 34S, and 36S) in response to thermal or chemical concentration gradients. Analysis of our run products by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) reveals a near-unity minimum diffusivity ratio for 34S/32S (β = 0) in anhydrous basaltic melt at conditions where sulfide species predominate. These results suggest that S isotope fractionations by diffusive processes are not important in basaltic melts, and therefore need not be considered when interpreting S isotope signatures. However, we also report potential Soret fractionations as large as approximately 1‰ for δ33S, 2.1‰ for δ34S, 3.8‰ for δ36S, and 40 ppm for elemental S, with enrichments of S and its heavier isotopes at the colder ends of the thermal gradients.

Electrospray deposition-induced ambient phase transition in copper sulphide nanostructures

A new and simple electrospray deposition to induce ambient phase transition in copper sulphide nanostructures.

Effect of the Processing and Heat Treatment Route on the Microstructure of MoS2/Polyetheretherketone Coatings Obtained by Electrophoretic Deposition

In this work, molybdenum disulfide nanosheets were electrophoretically co-deposited with PEEK 708 microparticles to fabricate composite coatings on Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy substrates. Different dispersion media, pure ethanol and ethanol with the addition of cationic chitosan polyelectrolyte have been studied. The co-deposition mechanisms were indicated based on zeta potential measurements and investigation of the interaction between particles in the suspension using electron microscopy. The composite coatings deposited from the suspension containing a low amount of MoS2 stabilized by chitosan were homogeneous. The polymer morphology changed as a result of heat-treatment from granular in the as-deposited coating into a dense, continuous matrix in the heat treated coating. The separate MoS2 nanosheets and their packages were relatively homogeneously distributed and formed arrays that were mainly parallel to the coating surface. The coatings exhibited an amorphous structure regardless of the applied cooling rate after heating. The amorphization of the coating, slowly cooled after heating above the melting point, is due to the partial diffusion of sulfur from MoS2 to PEEK 708 and its sulfonation. The obtained results provide new knowledge regarding the co-deposition mechanisms of MoS2 and PEEK in the presence of chitosan and polymer sulfonating at elevated temperatures.

Sulfur Incorporation at Interface Between Atomic-Layer-Deposited Al2O3 Thin Film and AlGaN/GaN Heterostructure

Surface incorporation at the interface between atomic-layer-deposited Al2O3 thin film and AlGaN/GaN heterostructure was studied based on the understanding of charge configuration and electronic band structure through fabrication and numerical simulation. The annealing in H2S ambient at various temperatures prior to deposition of Al2O3 gate insulator incorporated the sulfur. The Al2O3 was formed on the sulfur treated GaN cap/AlGaN barrier/GaN by trimethylaluminum and water-based atomic layer deposition. Thereafter, TiN electrode was sputtered on the Al2O3, which was followed by forming gas annealing. The time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy disclosed that the sulfur located at the interface of Al2O3/GaN cap, of which concentration increased with annealing temperature. Positive charges at the interface of Al2O3/GaN cap induced by sulfur increased the two-dimensional electron gas density and shifted the pinch-off voltage in the negative direction. The diffusion of sulfur in the GaN cap and AlGaN barrier can hamper the electron accumulation under positive gate voltage and shifts the accumulation voltage of the spillover region in the positive direction. Furthermore, the incorporated sulfur suppressed the gate leakage current.

Adsorption and diffusion of sulfur on the (111), (100), (110), and (211) surfaces of FCC metals: Density functional theory calculations.

We have studied the adsorption and diffusion of sulfur at the low-coverage regime of 0.25 ML on the (111), (100), (110), and (211) surfaces of Ni, Cu, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ir, Pt, and Au using density functional theory calculations. Sulfur adsorbed preferentially on three-fold or four-fold high-coordination sites over most of the studied surfaces. On the Ir(110), Pt(110), and Au(110) surfaces, sulfur is more stable on the two-fold sites. Calculations of the minimum energy diffusion pathway show that the energy barrier for the surface diffusion of sulfur depends on the orientation and nature of the metal surfaces. On the (100), sulfur shows the highest diffusion energy, ranging from 0.47 eV in Au(100) to 1.22 eV in Pd(100). In the (110) surface, the diffusion of sulfur is along the channel for Ni, Cu, Rh, Pd, and Ag, and across the channel for Ir, Pt, and Au. In the case of the (211) surfaces, the diffusion is preferentially along the terrace or step-edge sites. Our work provides data for the adsorption of sulfur on many surfaces not previously reported. The present work is a reference point for future computational studies of sulfur and sulfur-containing molecules absorbed on face center cubic metal surfaces.

Facile Synthesis of Ternary Alloy of CdSe1-xSx Quantum Dots with Tunable Absorption and Emission of Visible Light.

The synthesis of alloyed semiconductor quantum dots has produced structures that have distinct properties in comparison with both their bulk counterparts and their parent binary semiconductor quantum dots. In this work, the quantum confined structures of a ternary alloy of CdSe1−xSx were synthesized by one-pot synthesis method in an aqueous medium at a low temperature and capped with 3-mercaptopropoionic acid. Structures of the synthesized quantum dots were investigated by energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The obtained quantum dots had modified cubic structures as proven by X-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction. The optical properties of the synthesized quantum dots were characterized by optical absorption, photoluminescence, and color analysis. Optical absorption investigation revealed a widening of the band gap of CdSe1−xSx with increasing S content. This widening increased for the samples suspended in water relative to the samples measured in powder form due to the difference in the environment of the two cases. The size determined from the optical absorption measurements was found to be compatible with the sizes obtained from the X-ray diffraction with the value of bowing parameter around 1, which indicated a graded diffusion of sulfur. It was also ascertained that the emission of different compositions covered the most visible range with a small full width at half maximum. The x and y values of the chromaticity coordinates decreased with increasing sulfur content of up to 15%, while the z value increased.

Porous carbon prepared from polyacrylonitrile for lithium-sulfur battery cathodes using phase inversion technique

In this paper, a time and resource efficient way of preparing porous carbon cathode for lithium-sulfur batteries with superior cycle stability has been demonstrated. In this simple work, we used commercially available polymer as carbon source and non-solvent mixture as porogen or pore former. The cathode has been fabricated by using polyacrylonitrile as base polymer via phase inversion route. By this technique, a highly porous substrate material is generated by dipping a semi-gelled film of polyacrylonitrile in non-solvent mixture. After oxidative crosslinking followed by pyrolysis under inert atmosphere results a highly porous nitrogen doped carbon material, which was further hybridized with sulfur via melt diffusion of elemental sulfur. This cathode material shows although relatively low specific capacity (Cycle 1: ca. 1050 mA h/gsulfur, cycle 500: ca. 400 mA h/gsulfur), but excellent cycle stability over 500 charging-discharging cycles is displayed.