Ultra fast elemental synthesis of high yield copper Chevrel phase with high electrochemical performance

Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) was applied for the first time to prepare Chevrel phases, MxMo6T8 (M=metal, T=S, Se). Combined electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction were used to clarify the chemical reactions in the Cu–Mo–S system. It was shown that the replacement of the frontal combustion by thermal explosion increased the Cu2Mo6S8 yield from 86 to 96%, while the synthesis remained ultra-fast: 10–20min in a hot furnace (1000°C), as compared to at least 17h of heating for the conventional solid state technique. The synthesized material conformed to the requirements of cathode precursors for Mg batteries, and its electrochemically activity was similar to that of the conventional product. Schematic diagram of the combustion process. [Display omitted] ► Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis was applied for the first time for preparing Chevrel phases. ► Combined electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction were used to clarify the chemical reactions in the Cu–Mo–S system. ► The synthesized Cu2Mo6S8 product conforms to the requirements of cathode precursors for Mg batteries.