The present invention relates to a process for the production of polyacrylonitrile by polymerisation of a reaction mixture comprising acrylonitrile in a solution where the solvent is a eutectic system comprising a quaternary ammonium compound and a hydrogen donor. Such process allows for the production of a polyacrylonitrile having a desirably high molecular weight, whilst polymerisation time is reduced, and where the solvents are environmentally benign, biodegradable and may be reused in the polymerisation process.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing: a dispersant which enables the production of a dispersed material having excellent dispersibility and storage stability even when the dispersant is used in a small amount; a dispersed material having excellent dispersibility and storage stability; an electrode film having excellent adhesiveness and electrical conductivity; and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having excellent rate properties and cycle properties. The problem can be solved by a dispersant which is a polymer containing 40 to 100% by mass of a (meth)acrylonitrile-derived unit and having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 400,000.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing: a dispersant which enables the production of a dispersed material having excellent dispersibility and storage stability even when the dispersant is used in a small amount; a dispersed material having excellent dispersibility and storage stability; an electrode film having excellent adhesiveness and electrical conductivity; and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having excellent rate properties and cycle properties. The problem can be solved by a dispersant which is a polymer containing 40 to 100% by mass of a (meth)acrylonitrile-derived unit and having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 400,000.

The present invention provides a sulfur-modified polyacrylonitrile, which has a total content of sulfur of from 30 mass % to 55 mass %, and has a value for the calculation formula (1) defined in Description of less than 0.08, an electrode active material containing the same, an electrode for a secondary battery including the electrode active material, a method of manufacturing the electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the electrode.

The present invention provides a sulfur-modified polyacrylonitrile, which has a total content of sulfur of from 30 mass % to 55 mass %, and has a value for the calculation formula (1) defined in Description of less than 0.08, an electrode active material containing the same, an electrode for a secondary battery including the electrode active material, a method of manufacturing the electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the electrode.

Methods for forming sulfur polyacrylonitrile are provide. In certain variations, the method includes contacting sulfur and polyacrylonitrile to form an admixture, sealing a container holding the admixture, heating the admixture to a first temperature venting the container holding the admixture to release gases generated during the heating of the admixture to the first temperature, re-sealing the container holding the admixture, and heating the admixture to a second temperature. In other variations, the method includes contacting sulfur and polyacrylonitrile to form an admixture, heating the admixture to a first temperature, sealing a container holding the admixture, and heating the admixture to a second temperature. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature.

Methods for forming sulfur polyacrylonitrile are provide. In certain variations, the method includes contacting sulfur and polyacrylonitrile to form an admixture, sealing a container holding the admixture, heating the admixture to a first temperature venting the container holding the admixture to release gases generated during the heating of the admixture to the first temperature, re-sealing the container holding the admixture, and heating the admixture to a second temperature. In other variations, the method includes contacting sulfur and polyacrylonitrile to form an admixture, heating the admixture to a first temperature, sealing a container holding the admixture, and heating the admixture to a second temperature. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature.

A carbonized composite comprising a sulfur chain and a conductive network, wherein said sulfur chain is covalently bonded to said conductive network via one or more C—S bonds. The present disclosure also provides a method of preparing the carbonized composite disclosed herein. The carbonized composite may be used in electrochemical cells comprising a reactive metal anode.

A carbonized composite comprising a sulfur chain and a conductive network, wherein said sulfur chain is covalently bonded to said conductive network via one or more C—S bonds. The present disclosure also provides a method of preparing the carbonized composite disclosed herein. The carbonized composite may be used in electrochemical cells comprising a reactive metal anode.

A carbonized composite comprising a sulfur chain and a conductive network, wherein said sulfur chain is covalently bonded to said conductive network via one or more C—S bonds. The present disclosure also provides a method of preparing the carbonized composite disclosed herein. The carbonized composite may be used in electrochemical cells comprising a reactive metal anode.