Sulfurbased

Sulfurbased is a broad term used to describe chemical systems and materials in which sulfur plays a primary structural or functional role. It encompasses elemental sulfur, inorganic sulfur species, and organosulfur compounds, as well as polymers and composites that incorporate sulfur to tailor properties such as redox activity, energy density, or chemical reactivity.

In chemistry, sulfur appears in several forms, including elemental sulfur (often as S8 rings), sulfides (S2− and related species), sulfates and sulfites, as well as organosulfur motifs such as thiols, thioethers, sulfones and polysulfides. Polymers may contain sulfur as thioether linkages or as cyclic sulfur-rich units, and polysulfide networks are used in seals and cathodic materials.

Common applications include energy storage, catalysts, and materials processing. Lithium-sulfur batteries use sulfur cathodes to achieve high theoretical energy density, though practical cells face issues such as poor conductivity, active material loss, and the shuttle effect; researchers address these with sulfur-carbon composites, conductive hosts, and advanced electrolytes. Sulfur-containing catalysts (for example transition metal sulfides) and sulfur-doped carbons are explored in electrochemistry and catalysis. In industry, sulfur is used to vulcanize rubber, improving elasticity and durability, and to modify asphalt binders for performance in pavement.

Environmental and safety considerations include the odor and toxicity of certain sulfur compounds, the corrosivity of sulfur-containing wastes, and the release of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide under certain conditions. Sustainable use emphasizes recycling of sulfur from industrial byproducts and the development of less problematic sulfur chemistries.

See also: sulfur chemistry, vulcanization, lithium-sulfur battery.