Sulfur-Rich Phosphorus Sulfide Molecules for Use in Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

A new family of sulfur-rich phosphorus sulfide molecules (P₄ S_10+n ) and their electrochemical reaction mechanism with metallic Li has been explored. These P₄ S_10+n molecules are synthesized by the reaction between P₄ S₁₀ and S. For Li batteries, the P₄ S₄₀ molecule in the series of P₄ S_10+n molecules provides the highest capacity, which has a first discharge capacity of 1223 mAh g^-1 at 100 mA g^-1 and stabilizes at approximately 720 mAh g^-1 at 500 mA g^-1 after 100 cycles. This new class of sulfur-rich P₄ S_10+n molecules and its electrochemical behavior for room-temperature Li⁺ storage could provide novel insights for phosphorus sulfide molecules and high-energy batteries.