The present invention relates to the working principle and production methods for the pre-expansion of
sulfur and / or other chalcogenides such as
selenium or
tellurium, and / or a mixture of any two or more. The present invention further relates an
electrode /
cathode comprising
sulfur and / or a mixture of
sulfur allotropes, for example, crystalline, glassy, amorphous, and / or polymeric (e.g., β-, γ-, and / or ω-phasic) sulfur and / or a mixture of any two or more sulfur allotropes, wherein the sulfur is photonically / electronically / thermally pre-expanded to a state where it has a density equivalent to a
metal sulfide, such as Li2S. The expansion is carried out before
electrode /
cathode fabrication for the realization of alkali and / or alkali earth
metal /
ion batteries, such as LiS batteries. The resulting pre-expanded chalcogenides such as sulfur has an artificially generated internal cavities /
porosity in addition to an open / external
porosity, wherein the internal cavities limits and / or compensates the expansion of sulfur further or expansion partially / negligibly during chemical / electrochemical reactions, such as lithiation or sodiation, with mono, di, and trivalent
metal ions. A thus fabricated
electrode /
cathode comprising pre-expanded sulfur and / or chalcogenides allows precise control over density and volume fluctuations and withstands the chemical and electrochemical reactions that occur during battery operation. Additionally, leads to
improved performance, and
longevity and offers significant potential for further technological developments in this field.