SULFUR-MODIFIED POLYACRYLONITRILE, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR, AND APPLICATION THEREOF

Provided is a sulfur-modified polyacrylonitrile manufacturing method that is characterized in that a starting base powder that comprises sulfur powder and polyacrylonitrile powder is mixed and the mixture is heated in a non-oxidizing environment while outflow of sulfur vapor is prevented. Also provided are a cathode for lithium batteries that uses, as the active substance, the sulfur-modified polyacrylonitrile manufactured with the method, and a lithium secondary battery that includes the cathode as a component element. This enables the practical use of an inexpensive sulfur-based material as the cathode material for lithium secondary batteries, and in particular, a sulfur-based cathode material that enables higher output and has excellent cycle life characteristics, as well as other characteristics, and secondary lithium batteries using the same can be obtained.