A method of producing a cross-linked polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material, in which polyacrylonitrile is reacted with sulfur and at least one cross-linking agent to form a cross-linked polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material and the cross-linking agent includes at least one functional group, selected independently of one another from an ethylenically unsaturated functional group, an epoxy group and a thiirane group. In addition, the invention relates to a polyacrylonitrile-sulfur composite material, a cathode material, an alkali metal-sulfur cell or an alkali metal-sulfur battery as well as to an energy store.

The present disclosure provides a gel electrolyte precursor and use thereof. The gel electrolyte precursor comprises a gel matrix monomer, a flexible additive, a polymerization initiator, and a lithium salt. The gel matrix monomer comprises an acrylonitrile-based monomer. The use of same in a semisolid battery achieves good electrical performance, and also reduces the amount of an electrolyte used. An acrylonitrile-based polymer obtained by the in-situ polymerization and gelation of an acrylonitrile-based monomer has good flame retardant performance and high voltage resistance, improving the safety performance of a battery.

A system for precision polymerization is disclosed comprising at least one Michael-type monomer and a metal compound MR.sup.1R.sup.2R.sup.3 as sole catalyst and initiator, wherein M is aluminum, gallium or indium, each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 independently is CI, F, I, Br, linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, linear, branched or cyclic alkenyl, heterocycloalkenyl, linear, branched, or cyclic alkenyl, linear, branched, or cyclic alkinyl, heterocycloalkinyl, linear, branched, or cyclic alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, silyl, metallocenyl, nitro, nitroso, hydroxy, or carboxyl, wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl or alkoxy group independently has up to 12 carbon atoms, wherein each aryl or heteroaryl independently has 5 to 14 ring atoms, wherein any hetero group has at least one hetero atom selected from the group consisting of O, S, and N, wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl or alkoxy, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkinyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy group can be substituted by 1 up to the highest possible number of halogen atoms, or at least one electron-donating or electron-withdrawing group; with the proviso that not all three groups R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are halogen, hydroxy, or alkoxy or wherein two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 together with M form a substituted or unsubstituted cyclic or heterocyclic group having 3 to 6 atoms, wherein a heterocyclic group has at least one hetero atom selected from the group consisting of O, S, and N; as well as processes for preparing polymers and the polymers obtained therewith.

A method and precursor for making carbon fibers and the like comprising carbon black modified with at least one cyclic compound promoter. A source of the carbon black may be recycled materials such as recycled tires or recycled plastics. The carbon black is modified by attaching at least one cyclic compound promoter to the outer periphery of the carbon black.

A method and precursor for making carbon fibers and the like comprising carbon black modified with at least one cyclic compound promoter. A source of the carbon black may be recycled materials such as recycled tires or recycled plastics. The carbon black is modified by attaching at least one cyclic compound promoter to the outer periphery of the carbon black.

A method of making carbon fiber material according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes forming a polymer resin to have a polydispersity index (PDI) that is less than approximately 2.5. The method further includes spinning the polymer resin to create an acrylic fiber having an acrylic fiber length. The method further includes oxidizing the acrylic fiber while stretching the acrylic fiber to create an oxidized fiber that has an oxidized fiber length that is at least one of greater than or equal to approximately 100 percent (100%) of the acrylic fiber length. The method further includes carbonizing the oxidized fiber to create a carbon fiber.

A method of making carbon fiber material according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes forming a polymer resin to have a polydispersity index (PDI) that is less than approximately 2.5. The method further includes spinning the polymer resin to create an acrylic fiber having an acrylic fiber length. The method further includes oxidizing the acrylic fiber while stretching the acrylic fiber to create an oxidized fiber that has an oxidized fiber length that is at least one of greater than or equal to approximately 100 percent (100%) of the acrylic fiber length. The method further includes carbonizing the oxidized fiber to create a carbon fiber.

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 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.

A method for synthesizing polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution is disclosed. The preferred PAN polymer has a PDI (Mw/Mn) of about 2 or less. Such PAN polymer is synthesized by controlled/living radical polymerization using a special RAFT (Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer) agent. Also disclosed is a method for producing carbon fibers from PAN polymer with low PDI.

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