Carbothermal reduction of lithium sulfate below its melting point was used to produce sub-micron sized lithium sulfide particles which retain the morphology of the source particle. Using a lithium polysulfide-doped ether electrolyte, significantly enhanced activation of lithium sulfide could be accomplished in battery cells, achieving high discharge capacities up to 1360 mA h g_sulfur⁻¹ at a 0.1C rate. Showing an economically viable and scalable reaction routine for future lithium–sulfur-batteries.