Selective and facile synthesis of sodium sulfide and sodium disulfide polymorphs

Na2S and Na2S2 were selectively synthesized using a microwave-assisted thermal treatment of a Na+/S solution in tetraglyme between 100 and 200 °C, considerably lower than that of current routes. This novel synthetic pathway yields the Na2S phase in high purity and allows for good selectivity between the polymorphs of Na2S2 (α and β phases). These materials show promising electrochemical properties and are particularly interesting for the continued development of Na–S batteries.