Organic nanohybrids for fast and sustainable energy storage

Bio-Based Polyhydroxyanthraquinones as High-Voltage Organic Electrode Materials for Batteries

Organic materials have gained much attention as sustainable electrode materials for batteries. Especially bio-based organic electrode materials (OEMs) are very interesting due to their geographical independency and low environmental impact. However, bio-based OEMs for high-voltage batteries remain scarce. Therefore, in this work, a family of bio-based polyhydroxyanthraquinones (PHAQs)-namely 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydroxyanthraquinone (OHAQ), 1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydroxyanthraquinone (HHAQ), and 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyanthraquinone (THAQ)-and their redox polymers were synthesized. These PHAQs were synthesized from plant-based precursors and exhibit both a high-potential polyphenolic redox couple (3.5-4.0 V vs Li/Li+) and an anthraquinone redox moiety (2.2-2.8 V vs Li/Li+), while also showing initial charging capacities of up to 381 mAh g-1. To counteract the rapid fading caused by dissolution into the electrolyte, a facile polymerization method was established to synthesize PHAQ polymers. For this, the polymerization of HHAQ served as a model reaction where formaldehyde, glyoxal, and glutaraldehyde were tested as linkers. The resulting polymers were investigated as cathode materials in lithium metal batteries. PHAQ polymer composites synthesized using formaldehyde as linker and 10 wt % multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), namely poly(THAQ-formaldehyde)-10 wt % MWCNTs and poly(HHAQ-formaldehyde)-10 wt % MWCNTs, exhibited the best cycling performance in the lithium metal cells, displaying a high-voltage discharge starting at 4.0 V (vs Li/Li+) and retaining 81.6 and 77.3 mAh g-1, respectively, after 100 cycles.

A one-dimensional cobalt-based coordination polymer as a cathode material of lithium-ion batteries

For obtaining high-performance lithium-ion batteries, it is important to develop new cathode materials with high capacity. Herein, a one-dimensional coordination polymer [Co(4-DTBPT) (DMF)₂(H₂O)₂] (4-DTBPT) (C₁₀H₄O₈) (Co-DTBPT) (4-DTBPT = 2,7-di(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4yl)benzo[lmn][3,8] phenanthroline-1,3,6,8-(2H,7H)-tetraone; DMF = dimethylformamide) was synthesized and its electrochemical performance as the cathode material of lithium-ion batteries was first investigated. The Co-DTBPT electrode showed better cycling stability and a specific capacity of 55 mA h g^-1 at 50 mA g^-1 after 50 cycles, and the coulombic efficiency was close to 100%. The capacity contribution of the Co-DTBPT electrode may be ascribed to the redox reaction of the Co(II) ion and the 4-DTBPT ligand in the process of charge and discharge. Our work proves once again that using one-dimensional coordination polymers as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries is a feasible way.

Bio-inspired non-conjugated poly(carbonylpyridinium) as anode material for high-performance alkali-ion (Li+, Na+, and K+) batteries

The integration of multiple electron-accepting skeletons into polymeric structures is the forefront of materials research for high-energy sustainable energy storage. Herein, we report the synthesis of two novel non-conjugated polymers (NCP1 and NCP2) and a model small molecule (M1) incorporated with bio-derived 4-elecron-uptaking carbonylpyridinium redox-units for alkali-ion batteries. Compared to model small molecules, the polymers exhibited improved battery performance when applied as anode materials for Li-, Na-, and K-ion batteries (LIBs/SIBs/KIBs) owing to their high electrochemical activity and effective ability to suppress dissolution. By judicious selection of the benzothiadiazole redox-active linker, the performance of NCP2 was further enhanced, delivering the highest capacity and the best cycling stability; at mass loadings of up to 3.5 and 4.7 mg cm^-2, the specific capacity remained at 215 and 150 mAh g^-1 after 200 cycles, respectively. The Li⁺/Na⁺/K⁺ insertion/extraction mechanisms of NCP2 were elucidated based on experimental analyses. The insertion/extraction of Li⁺ was much faster than that of Na⁺ and K⁺. This study broadens the family of bio-derived carbonylpyridinium-based polymer materials for next-generation electrochemical energy storage applications.

Organic Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries: Recent Progress and Challenges

In the search for novel anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), organic electrode materials have recently attracted substantial attention and seem to be the next preferred candidates for use as high-performance anode materials in rechargeable LIBs due to their low cost, high theoretical capacity, structural diversity, environmental friendliness, and facile synthesis. Up to now, the electrochemical properties of numerous organic compounds with different functional groups (carbonyl, azo, sulfur, imine, etc.) have been thoroughly explored as anode materials for LIBs, dividing organic anode materials into four main classes: organic carbonyl compounds, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and organic compounds with nitrogen-containing groups. In this review, an overview of the recent progress in organic anodes is provided. The electrochemical performances of different organic anode materials are compared, revealing the advantages and disadvantages of each class of organic materials in both research and commercial applications. Afterward, the practical applications of some organic anode materials in full cells of LIBs are provided. Finally, some techniques to address significant issues, such as poor electronic conductivity, low discharge voltage, and undesired dissolution of active organic anode material into typical organic electrolytes, are discussed. This paper will guide the study of more efficient organic compounds that can be employed as high-performance anode materials in LIBs.

Enhancing Interfacial and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Properties of Carbon Fiber Composites via the Hierarchical Assembly of the MWNT/MOF Interphase

A metal-organic framework (MOF) based on a conjugated organic ligand and a transition-metal ion was designed and used to construct a novel multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/MOF interphase via hierarchical assembly on the carbon fiber (CF) surface and was compared to various interphases established by MWNT and MOF. An intertwined MWNT and MOF "jujube core" was randomly dispersed on MWNT@CF and MOF@CF surfaces, while interpenetrating structures with the MWNT network and MOF jujube core were simultaneously observed on MWNT/MOF@CF due to coordination bonds and π-π conjugation effects, which were derived from the MWNT template with carboxyl groups and sp²-hybridized domains as well as the secondary growth of MOF to promote self-assembly and the connection of MOF. The transverse fiber bundle test (TFBT) strength and interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of the MWNT/MOF@CF composite were 36.9, 6.1, and 20.8%, 16.3% higher than those of MWNT@CF and MOF@CF composites, which were attributed to the smoothed modulus transition of the stiffening interphase formed by the MWNT/MOF hybrid structure as "armor" to effectively buffer the stress transfer between a carbon fiber and the resin matrix. Compared to MWNT@CF and MOF@CF composites, MWNT/MOF@CF composites had the highest EMI shielding effectiveness, which was attributed to the combined effects of multiple reflections, conductive loss, and interface polarization from the interpenetrating MWNT/MOF hybrid structures, which realized the integration of the structure and function of the carbon fiber composites.

Molecular and Morphological Engineering of Organic Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Energy Storage

Organic electrode materials (OEMs) can deliver remarkable battery performance for metal-ion batteries (MIBs) due to their unique molecular versatility, high flexibility, versatile structures, sustainable organic resources, and low environmental costs. Therefore, OEMs are promising, green alternatives to the traditional inorganic electrode materials used in state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. Before OEMs can be widely applied, some inherent issues, such as their low intrinsic electronic conductivity, significant solubility in electrolytes, and large volume change, must be addressed. In this review, the potential roles, energy storage mechanisms, existing challenges, and possible solutions to address these challenges by using molecular and morphological engineering are thoroughly summarized and discussed. Molecular engineering, such as grafting electron-withdrawing or electron-donating functional groups, increasing various redox-active sites, extending conductive networks, and increasing the degree of polymerization, can enhance the electrochemical performance, including its specific capacity (such as the voltage output and the charge transfer number), rate capability, and cycling stability. Morphological engineering facilitates the preparation of different dimensional OEMs (including 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D OEMs) via bottom-up and top-down methods to enhance their electron/ion diffusion kinetics and stabilize their electrode structure. In summary, molecular and morphological engineering can offer practical paths for developing advanced OEMs that can be applied in next-generation rechargeable MIBs.

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Octahydropyrimido[4,5-g]quinazoline-5,10-diones: their multicomponent synthesis, self-assembly on graphite and electrochemistry

A green multicomponent synthesis of previously unreported octahydropyrimido[4,5-g]quinazoline-5,6-diones was developed from simple building blocks. These highly symmetrical compounds show strong propensity to self-assembled molecular network (SAMN) formation on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The SAMN type is easily tunable by changing molecular characteristics. The redox behavior was studied by cyclic voltammetery.

Ultrastable Bioderived Organic Anode Induced by Synergistic Coupling of Binder/Carbon-Network for Advanced Potassium-Ion Storage

Bioderived molecules have been identified as viable anodes for organic potassium-ion batteries (OPIBs) due to the abundance of the necessary natural resources, their high capacity, and their sustainability. However, the high solubility and the inherent nonconductivity cause serious capacity decay and large voltage hysteresis. Here, the biomass molecule juglone was cross-linked with a carbon nanotube network, coupling and cooperating with sodium alginate binder (J@CNT-SA), and was proposed to inhibit small molecule dissolution via weak intermolecular interactions. The synergistic effect of hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking is proven for its outstanding reversible high capacities (262 mA h g^-1 at 0.05 A g^-1), and a remarkable long life span with capacity retention of 77% over 5000 cycles. Further in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed to reveal the electrochemical mechanism. The feasibility of juglone as an anode for PIBs paves the way for other natural organic small molecules to be investigated as potential energy storage materials.

Biredox-Ionic Anthraquinone-Coupled Ethylviologen Composite Enables Reversible Multielectron Redox Chemistry for Li-Organic Batteries

Organic compounds bearing redox-active ionic pairs as electrode materials for high-performance rechargeable batteries have gained growing attention owing to the properties of synthetic tunability, high theoretical capacity, and low solubility. Herein, an innovative biredox-ionic composite, i.e., ethylviologen dianthraquinone-2-sulfonate (EV-AQ₂ ), affording multiple and reversible active sites as a cathode material in lithium-organic batteries is reported. EV-AQ₂ exhibits a high initial capacity of 199.2 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 C rate, which corresponds to the transfer of two electrons from one redox couple EV²⁺ /EV⁰ and four electrons from two redox-active AQ^- anions. It is notable that EV-AQ₂ shows remarkably improved cyclability compared to the precursors. The capacity retention is 89% and the Coulombic efficiency approaches 100% over 120 cycles at 0.5 C rate. The results offer evidence that AQ^- into the EV²⁺ scaffold with multiple redox sites are promising in developing high-energy-density organic rechargeable batteries.

A carboxylate- and pyridine-based organic anode material for K-ion batteries

In this work, a new carboxylate- and pyridine-based organic anode material was exploited in K-ion batteries. The results demonstrate the critical role of multiple active centers (CO and CN) in one molecule to enhance the electrochemical performance.

Versatile Redox-Active Organic Materials for Rechargeable Energy Storage

With the ever-increasing demand on energy storage systems and subsequent mass production, there is an urgent need for the development of batteries with not only improved electrochemical performance but also better sustainability-related features such as environmental friendliness and low production cost. To date, transition metals that are sparse have been centrally employed in energy storage devices ranging from portable lithium ion batteries (e.g., cobalt and nickel) to large-scale redox flow batteries (e.g., vanadium). Toward the sustainable battery chemistry, there are ongoing efforts to replace the transition metal-based electrode materials in these systems to redox-active organic materials (ROMs). Most ROMs are composed of the earth abundant elements (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur), thus are less restrained by the resource, and their production does not require high-energy consuming processes. Furthermore, the structural diversity and chemical tunability of organic compounds make them more attractive for the versatile design of future energy storage systems. Accordingly, the timely development of high-performance ROM-based electrodes would expedite the shift from the current resource-limited battery chemistry to more sustainable energy solutions.In this Account, we provide an overview of the endeavors to employ and develop ROMs as high-performance active materials for various battery systems. Diverse approaches will be introduced starting from the new ROM design mimicking the energy carrying molecules in biological metabolism to the chemical modifications to tailor the properties for specific battery systems. The molecular redesign of ROM, for example, can be carried out by substituting heteroatoms in the redox center, which leads to the enhancement of the redox potential by the inductive effect. Or, tailoring the ROM molecule by removing redox-inactive functionals results in a reduced molecular weight, thereby an increased specific capacity. The intrinsic limitations of ROMs, such as the low electrical conductivity and the dissolving nature, have been under extensive scrutiny; however, they can be partly addressed through efforts including intermolecular fusion and/or nanoscale hybridization with a conducting scaffold. On the other hand, this problematic dissolving nature of ROMs makes them appealing for some new battery configurations such as redox flow batteries that employ the liquid-state active materials. The high solubility and the stability of the ROM were found to be beneficial in attaining the enhanced energy density and the cycle stability of flow batteries, which could be further optimized by the chemical modifications of ROMs. Besides the role of active materials, the redox activity of ROMs has also enabled their use as catalysts to promote the electrode reaction in metal-air batteries. The redox capability of the ROM was often proven to be effective in the solution-based redox mediation that facilitates both the charging and discharging reaction in metal-air batteries. Finally, we conclude this account by proposing the future research directions regarding the fundamental electrochemistry and the further practical development of ROMs for the sustainable rechargeable energy storage.

Gifts from Nature: Bio-Inspired Materials for Rechargeable Secondary Batteries

Materials in nature have evolved to the most efficient forms and have adapted to various environmental conditions over tens of thousands of years. Because of their versatile functionalities and environmental friendliness, numerous attempts have been made to use bio-inspired materials for industrial applications, establishing the importance of biomimetics. Biomimetics have become pivotal to the search for technological breakthroughs in the area of rechargeable secondary batteries. Here, the characteristics of bio-inspired materials that are useful for secondary batteries as well as their benefits for application as the main components of batteries (e.g., electrodes, separators, and binders) are discussed. The use of bio-inspired materials for the synthesis of nanomaterials with complex structures, low-cost electrode materials prepared from biomass, and biomolecular organic electrodes for lithium-ion batteries are also introduced. In addition, nature-derived separators and binders are discussed, including their effects on enhancing battery performance and safety. Recent developments toward next-generation secondary batteries including sodium-ion batteries, zinc-ion batteries, and flexible batteries are also mentioned to understand the feasibility of using bio-inspired materials in these new battery systems. Finally, current research trends are covered and future directions are proposed to provide important insights into scientific and practical issues in the development of biomimetics technologies for secondary batteries.

Tetradiketone macrocycle for divalent aluminium ion batteries

Contrary to early motivation, the majority of aluminium ion batteries developed to date do not utilise multivalent ion storage; rather, these batteries rely on monovalent complex ions for their main redox reaction. This limitation is somewhat frustrating because the innate advantages of metallic aluminium such as its low cost and high air stability cannot be fully taken advantage of. Here, we report a tetradiketone macrocycle as an aluminium ion battery cathode material that reversibly reacts with divalent (AlCl²⁺) ions and consequently achieves a high specific capacity of 350 mAh g⁻¹ along with a lifetime of 8000 cycles. The preferred storage of divalent ions over their competing monovalent counterparts can be explained by the relatively unstable discharge state when using monovalent AlCl₂⁺ ions, which exert a moderate resonance effect to stabilise the structure. This study opens an avenue to realise truly multivalent aluminium ion batteries based on organic active materials, by tuning the relative stability of discharged states with carrier ions of different valence states.

Aluminium ion batteries have been developed based on the storage of monovalent complex ions, impairing their original motivation of storing multivalent ions. Here, the authors demonstrate the divalent ion storage of tetradiketone macrocycles by tuning the relative stability of discharged states.

Advanced Tri-Layer Carbon Matrices with π-π Stacking Interaction for Binder-Free Lithium-Ion Storage

Enabling materials with distinct features toward achieving high-performance energy storage devices is of huge importance but highly challenging. Commercial carbon cloth (CC), because of its appealing chemical and mechanical properties, has been proven to be an excellent conductive substrate for active electrode materials. However, its performance is notably poor when directly used as an electrode in energy storage, due to its low theoretical capacity and surface area. Herein, we successfully endow the CC with enhanced storage capacity via formation of a π-π stacking interaction by integrating electrochemically activated CC (denoted CC/ACC) with biomass-derived carbon (BMDC) (denoted π-CC/ECC@BMDC). The π-CC/ECC@BMDC electrode displays excellent storage performance with a high capacity of 2.53 mAh cm^-2 under 0.2 mA cm^-2 when used as anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Due to the induction energy, the negatively charged molecules of the CC/ACC functional groups interact with the BMDC during carbonization, creating the π-π stacking interaction. Based on first-principles calculations, the structural design of the tri-layer carbon enables the movement of electrons around the π-π stacking interaction, which significantly facilitates rapid transportation of electrons, creates three-dimensional (3D) ion tunnels for fast transportation of ions, and improves the electrode's mechanical and electronic properties.

High Capacity and Energy Density Organic Lithium-Ion Battery Based on Buckypaper with Stable π-Radical

Owing to an increasing demand on high performance and rare-metal free energy storage systems, organic rechargeable battery has attracted much attention. To increase the capacity of the whole battery, we have fabricated coin-type buckypaper cells composed of a trioxotriangulene neutral radical derivative (H₃ TOT) and single-walled carbon nanotubes as a cathode and lithium metal plate as an anode without current collector. The cells exhibited a stable charge-discharge behavior even at a 90 wt % H₃ TOT content with a high-rate performance of 10 C originating from high electrical conductivity of H₃ TOT. Furthermore, based on the four-stage redox ability of H₃ TOT, the H₃ TOT 90 wt % cathode showed a high capacity of approximately 260 mAh g^-1 and a high energy density of 546 Wh g^-1 . In view of the simple fabrication of the cathode and excellent performance, TOT-based buckypaper will open a new strategy for the flexible cells for next-generation energy storages.

Analysis of the Ordering Effects in Anthraquinone Thin Films and Its Potential Application for Sodium Ion Batteries

The ordering effects in anthraquinone (AQ) stacking forced by thin-film application and its influence on dimer solubility and current collector adhesion are investigated. The structural characteristics of AQ and its chemical environment are found to have a substantial influence on its electrochemical performance. Computational investigation for different charged states of AQ on a carbon substrate obtained via basin hopping global minimization provides important insights into the physicochemical thin-film properties. The results reveal the ideal stacking configurations of the individual AQ-carrier systems and show ordering effects in a periodic supercell environment. The latter reveals the transition from intermolecular hydrogen bonding toward the formation of salt bridges between the reduced AQ units and a stabilizing effect upon the dimerlike rearrangement, while the strong surface-molecular interactions in the thin-film geometries are found to be crucial for the formed dimers to remain electronically active. Both characteristics, the improved current collector adhesion and the stabilization due to dimerization, are mutual benefits of thin-film electrodes over powder-based systems. This hypothesis has been further investigated for its potential application in sodium ion batteries. Our results show that AQ thin-film electrodes exhibit significantly better specific capacities (233 vs 87 mAh g-1 in the first cycle), Coulombic efficiencies, and long-term cycling performance (80 vs 4 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles) over the AQ powder electrodes. By augmenting the experimental findings via computational investigations, we are able to suggest design strategies that may foster the performance of industrially desirable powder-based electrode materials.

The Progress and Prospect of Tunable Organic Molecules for Organic Lithium-Ion Batteries

Compared to inorganic electrodes, organic materials are regarded as promising electrodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to the attractive advantages of light elements, molecular-level structural design, fast electron/ion transferring, favorable environmental impacts, and flexible feature, etc. Not only specific capacities but also working potentials of organic electrodes are reasonably tuned by polymerization, electron-donating/withdrawing groups, and multifunctional groups as well as conductive additives, which have attracted intensive attention. However, organic LIBs (OLIBs) are also facing challenges on capacity loss, side reactions, electrode dissolution, low electronic conductivity, and short cycle life, etc. Many strategies have been applied to tackle those challenges, and many inspiring results have been achieved in the last few decades. In this review, we have introduced the basic concepts of LIBs and OLIBs, followed by the typical cathode and anode materials with various physicochemical properties, redox reaction mechanisms, and evolutions of functional groups. Typical charge-discharge behaviors and molecular structures of organic electrodes are displayed. Moreover, effective strategies on addressing problems of organic electrodes are summarized to give some guidance on the synthesis of optimized organic electrodes for practical applications of OLIBs.

Designing High Performance Organic Batteries

ConspectusRedox active organic and polymeric materials have witnessed the rapid development and commercialization of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) over the last century and the increasing interest in developing various alternatives to LIBs in the past 30 years. As a kind of potential alternative, organic and polymeric materials have the advantages of flexibility, tunable performance through molecular design, potentially high specific capacity, vast natural resources, and recyclability. However, until now, only a handful inorganic materials have been adopted as electrodes in commercialized LIBs. Although the development of carbonyl-based materials revived organic batteries and stimulated plentiful organic materials for batteries in the past 10 years due to their high theoretical capacities and long-term cycleabilities compared with their pioneers (e.g., conducting polymers), organic batteries are still facing many challenges. For example, it is still essential to enhance the theoretical and experimental capacities of organic materials. Moreover, typically, organic materials suffer relatively low conductivity, which limits their rate capability. In addition, many organic materials, especially small molecules, show poor cycling stability because of their dissolution in organic electrolytes. Other requirements, such as high voltage output and low cost, are also crucial for organic batteries. Therefore, insights into fundamentals (e.g., intramolecular and intermolecular interactions) for a deep understanding of organic batteries and constructive strategies ranging from material design to manipulation of other components (e.g., conductive additives, binders, electrolytes, and separators through controlling the intramolecular and intermolecular interactions and manipulating the ionic transport) are of great significance to boost the performance of organic batteries.In this Account, we give an overview of our efforts to develop high performance organic batteries with various strategies from the aspects of molecular design and the manipulation of other components. Inspired by the experience in organic electronics, we proposed that the extension of the π-conjugated system is helpful for stabilizing the +1/-1 charge/discharge states, improving the charge transport, and facilitating the layered packing (good for ionic diffusion) and hence would benefit the rate capability and cyclability. The π-d conjugation can effectively improve the electrical conductivity and provide stable and fast ionic storage, which enriches the materials for high-performance batteries and further deepens the understanding of conjugated coordination polymers (CCPs). Different from inorganic materials, organic materials are composed of molecules (either small molecules, macromolecules, or polymeric molecules) with weak intermolecular interactions. Therefore, the manipulation of active molecules or additives (conductive additives, binders, and other special additives) through control of intermolecular interactions is crucial for enhancing the electrochemical performance of organic batteries. Regarding the possible dissolution of active materials, the modification of separators through addition of selectively permeable membranes as ionic sieves is the most efficient and universal strategy to mitigate the shuttling of dissolved molecules but allow smaller sized cations to pass and hence is able to enhance the cyclability. On the basis of these findings, the challenges and several future trends for organic batteries are discussed. This Account provides a summary of our recent progress, understanding of the fundamentals for high performance organic batteries, insight into the intramolecular and intermolecular interactions, and prospects for future development of organic materials for next-generation rechargeable batteries.

Benzo-Dipteridine Derivatives as Organic Cathodes for Li- and Na-ion Batteries

Organic-based electrodes for Li- and Na-ion batteries present attractive alternatives to commonly applied inorganic counterparts which can often carry with them supply-chain risks, safety concerns with thermal runaway, and adverse environmental impact. The ability to chemically direct the structure of organic electrodes through control over functional groups is of particular importance, as this provides a route to fine-tune electrochemical performance parameters. Here, we report two benzo-dipteridine derivatives, BF-Me₂ and BF-H₂ , as high-capacity electrodes for use in Li- and Na-ion batteries. These moieties permit binding of multiple Li-ions per molecule while simultaneously ensuring low solubility in the supporting electrolyte, often a precluding issue with organic electrodes. Both display excellent electrochemical stability, with discharge capacities of 142 and 182 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles at a C/10 rate and Coulombic efficiencies of 96% and ∼ 100% demonstrated for BF-Me₂ and BF-H₂ , respectively. The application of a Na-ion cell has also been demonstrated, showing discharge capacities of 88.8 and 137 mAh g^-1 after 100 cycles at a C/2 rate for BF-Me₂ and BF-H₂ , respectively. This work provides an encouraging precedent for these and related structures to provide versatile, high-energy density, and long cycle-life electrochemical energy storage materials.

Conductive Polyacrylic Acid-Polyaniline as a Multifunctional Binder for Stable Organic Quinone Electrodes of Lithium-Ion Batteries

High solubility in aprotic organic electrolytes and poor electrical conductivity are the main restrictions of organic electrodes in practical application. Conductive binder contributes to the high-performance electrodes as it enables both mechanical and electronic integrity of the electrode, which have been scarcely explored for organic electrodes. Herein, a conductive interpenetrating polymeric network is synthesized through in situ polymerization of polyaniline with poly(acrylic acid) (denoted PAA-PANi), which served as a novel conductive binder for organic 2-aminoanthraquinone (AAQ) materials. The conductive PANi component enhances the electrical conductivity of the electrode. Meanwhile, the PAA component serves as the binding matrix to condense with the amino groups (-NH₂) of AAQ, which therefore effectively inhibits their dissolution and maintains electrode integrity during cycling. As expected, the conductive binder exhibits both excellent electrical conductivity (10^-3 S cm^-1) and strong mechanical adhesion. The AAQ/reduced graphene oxide (AAQ@rGO) composite electrode prepared with the as-synthesized PAA-PANi binder delivers a high specific capacity of 126.1 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 A g^-1, superior rate capability (71.3 mAh g ^-1 at 3 A g^-1), and outstanding cycling stability (2000 cycles at 1 A g^-1), which greatly rivals polyvinylidene fluoride and PAA binder-based electrodes. Such a strategy points the way for the design and synthesis of conductive polymeric binders for organic electrodes, whose electrical conductivity and dissolution are massive issues.

Nitrogen-Doped Hierarchical Porous Carbon-Promoted Adsorption of Anthraquinone for Long-Life Organic Batteries

Organic quinone molecules are attractive electrochemical energy storage devices because of their high abundance, multielectron reactions, and structural diversity compared with transition metal-oxide electrode materials. However, they have problems like poor cycle stability and low rate performance on account of the inherent low conductivity and high solubility in the electrolyte. Solving these two key problems at the same time can be challenging. Herein, we demonstrate that using a nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbon (NC) with mixed microporous/low-range mesoporous can greatly alleviate the shuttle effect caused by the dissolution of organic molecules in the electrolyte through physical binding and chemisorption, thereby improving the electrochemical performances. Lithium-ion batteries based on the anthraquinone (AQ) electrode exhibit dramatic capacity decay (5.7% capacity retention at 0.2 C after 1000 cycles) and poor rate performance (14.2 mA h g^-1 at 2 C). However, the lithium-ion battery based on the NC@AQ cathode shows excellent cycle stability (60.5% capacity retention at 0.2 C after 1000 cycles, 82.8% capacity retention at 0.5 C after 1000 cycles), superior rate capability (152.9 mA h g^-1 at 2 C), and outstanding energy efficiency (98% at 0.2 C). Our work offers a new approach to realize the next-generation organic batteries for long life and high rate performance.

Mechanically Interlocked Carbon Nanotubes as a Stable Electrocatalytic Platform for Oxygen Reduction

Mechanically interlocking redox-active anthraquinone onto single-walled carbon nanotubes (AQ-MINT) gives a new and advanced example of a noncovalent architecture for an electrochemical platform. Electrochemical studies of AQ-MINT as an electrode reveal enhanced electrochemical stability in both aqueous and organic solvents compared to physisorbed AQ-based electrodes. While maintaining the electrochemical properties of the parent anthraquinone molecules, we observe a stable oxygen reduction reaction to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Using such AQ-MINT electrodes, 7 and 2 μmol of H₂O₂ are produced over 8 h under basic and neutral conditions, while the control system of SWCNTs produces 2.2 and 0.5 μmol, respectively. These results reveal the potential of this rotaxane-type immobilization approach for heterogenized electrocatalysis.

Synthesis and Characterization of LiFePO4-PANI Hybrid Material as Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

This work focuses on the synthesis of LiFePO₄-PANI hybrid materials and studies their electrochemical properties (capacity, cyclability and rate capability) for use in lithium ion batteries. PANI synthesis and optimization was carried out by chemical oxidation (self-assembly process), using ammonium persulfate (APS) and H₃PO₄, obtaining a material with a high degree of crystallinity. For the synthesis of the LiFePO₄-PANI hybrid, a thermal treatment of LiFePO₄ particles was carried out in a furnace with polyaniline (PANI) and lithium acetate (AcOLi)-coated particles, using Ar/H₂ atmosphere. The pristine and synthetized powders were characterized by XRD, SEM, IR and TGA. The electrochemical characterizations were carried out by using CV, EIS and galvanostatic methods, obtaining a capacity of 95 mAhg^-1 for PANI, 120 mAhg^-1 for LiFePO₄ and 145 mAhg^-1 for LiFePO₄-PANI, at a charge/discharge rate of 0.1 C. At a charge/discharge rate of 2 C, the capacities were 70 mAhg^-1 for LiFePO₄ and 100 mAhg^-1 for LiFePO₄-PANI, showing that the PANI also had a favorable effect on the rate capability.

Bioderived Molecular Electrodes for Next-Generation Energy-Storage Materials

Nature-derived organic small molecules, as energy-storage materials, provide low-cost, recyclable, and non-toxic alternatives to inorganic and polymer electrodes for lithium-/sodium-ion batteries and beyond. Some organic carbonyl compounds have met or exceeded the voltages and gravimetric storage capacities achieved by traditional transition metal oxide-based compounds due to the metal-ion coupled redox and facile electron-transport capability of functional groups. Stability issues that previously limited the capacity of small organic molecules can be remediated with reactions to form insoluble salts, noncovalent interactions (hydrogen bonding and π stacking), loading onto substrates, and careful electrolyte selection. The cost-effectiveness and sustainability of organic materials may further be improved by employing porphyrin-based electrodes and multivalent-ion batteries utilizing abundant metals, such as aluminum and zinc. Finally, redox flow batteries take advantage of the solubility of organics for the development of scalable, high power density, and safe energy-storage devices based on aqueous electrolytes. Herein, the advantages and prospects of small molecule-based electrodes, with a focus on nature-derived organic and biomimetic materials, to realize the next-generation of green battery chemistry are reviewed.

Sustainable Battery Materials from Biomass

Sustainable sources of energy have been identified as a possible way out of today's oil dependency and are being rapidly developed. In contrast, storage of energy to a large extent still relies on heavy metals in batteries. Especially when built from biomass-derived organics, organic batteries are promising alternatives and pave the way towards truly sustainable energy storage. First described in 2008, research on biomass-derived electrodes has been taken up by a multitude of researchers worldwide. Nowadays, in principle, electrodes in batteries could be composed of all kinds of carbonized and noncarbonized biomass: On one hand, all kinds of (waste) biomass may be carbonized and used in anodes of lithium- or sodium-ion batteries, cathodes in metal-sulfur or metal-oxygen batteries, or as conductive additives. On the other hand, a plethora of biomolecules, such as quinones, flavins, or carboxylates, contain redox-active groups that can be used as redox-active components in electrodes with very little chemical modification. Biomass-based binders can replace toxic halogenated commercial binders to enable a truly sustainable future of energy storage devices. Besides the electrodes, electrolytes and separators may also be synthesized from biomass. In this Review, recent research progress in this rapidly emerging field is summarized with a focus on potentially fully biowaste-derived batteries.

Carbonyl Bridge-Based p-π Conjugated Polymers as High-Performance Electrodes of Organic Lithium-Ion Batteries

Organic redox compounds have shown promising potential as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Polymerization is an effective and feasible method to prevent rapid capacity decay. However, present conjugated polymers and nonconjugated polymers have their own limitations to constructing stable and high-performance electrodes. Herein, we report a novel polyimide NDI-O, which is connected by carbonyl bridges. The NDI-O is a p-π conjugated polymer that exhibits a high gravimetric energy density of 542 W h kg^-1 and an ultrahigh power density of 14,000 W kg^-1 due to its intriguing electronic properties. The combination of molecular electrostatic potential calculations and ex situ technologies reveals the lithium-ion storage mechanism during the charge and discharge processes. The orbital distribution calculations and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests have been shown to verify the excellent kinetic properties of NDI-O. This work expands the scope of polymers applied for LIBs and provides new methods to construct high-performance electrode materials for sustainable batteries.

Prospects of organic electrode materials for practical lithium batteries

Organic materials have attracted much attention for their utility as lithium-battery electrodes because their tunable structures can be sustainably prepared from abundant precursors in an environmentally friendly manner. Most research into organic electrodes has focused on the material level instead of evaluating performance in practical batteries. This Review addresses this by first providing an overview of the history and redox of organic electrode materials and then evaluating the prospects and remaining challenges of organic electrode materials for practical lithium batteries. Our evaluations are made according to energy density, power density, cycle life, gravimetric density, electronic conductivity and other relevant parameters, such as energy efficiency, cost and resource availability. We posit that research in this field must focus more on the intrinsic electronic conductivity and density of organic electrode materials, after which a comprehensive optimization of full batteries should be performed under practically relevant conditions. We hope to stimulate high-quality applied research that might see the future commercialization of organic electrode materials.

3D Hierarchically Structured CoS Nanosheets: Li+ Storage Mechanism and Application of the High-Performance Lithium-Ion Capacitors

Lithium-ion capacitors possess excellent power and energy densities, and they can combine both of those advantages from supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries, leading to novel generation hybrid devices for storing energy. This study synthesized one three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical structure, self-assembled from CoS nanosheets, according to a simple and efficient manner, and can be used as an anode for lithium ion capacitors. This CoS anode, based on a conversion-type Li⁺ storage mechanism dominated by diffusion control, showed a large reversible capacity, together with excellent stability for cycling. The CoS shows a discharge capacity ≈434 mA h/g at 0.1 A/g. The hybrid lithium-ion capacitor, which had the CoS anode as well as the biochar cathode, exhibits excellent electrochemical performance with ultrahigh energy and power densities of 125.2 Wh/kg and 6400 W/kg, respectively, and an extended cycling life of 81.75% retention after 40 000 cycles. The CoS with self-assembled 3D hierarchical structure in combination with a carbon cathode offers a versatile device for future applications in energy storage.

Highly Exfoliated and Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Fast-Charging, High-Capacity Cathodes for Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries

Compared with traditional metal-oxide lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathodes, nanocarbon-based cathode materials have received much attention for potential application in LIBs because of their superior power density and long-term cyclability. However, their lithium-ion storage capacity needs further improvement for practical applications, and the trade-off between capacity and conductivity, when oxygen functional groups as lithium-ion storage sites are introduced to the nanocarbon materials, needs to be addressed. Here, we report a sequential oxidation-reduction process for the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) for LIB cathodes with fast charging, long-term cyclability, and high gravimetric capacity. A LIB cathode based on highly exfoliated (d_bundle < 10 nm) and oxygen-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes is obtained via the modified Brodie's method using fuming nitric acid and a mild oxidant (B-SWCNTs). Post treatment including horn sonication and hydrogen thermal reduction developed surface defects and removed the unnecessary C-O groups, resulting in an increase in the Li-ion storage capacity. The B-SWCNTs exhibit a high reversible gravimetric capacity of 344 mA h g^-1 at 0.1 A g^-1 without noticeable capacity fading after 1000 cycles. Furthermore, it delivers a high gravimetric energy density of 797 W h kg_electrode^-1 at a low gravimetric power density of 300 W kg_electrode^-1 and retains its high gravimetric energy density of ∼100 W h kg_electrode^-1 at a high gravimetric power of 10⁵ W kg_electrode^-1. These results suggest that the highly exfoliated, oxygen-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes can be applied to LIBs designed for high-rate operations and long cycling.

Coupling Niobia Nanorods with a Multicomponent Carbon Network for High Power Lithium-Ion Batteries

High power lithium-ion batteries require highly conductive electrodes. For an active electrode material that has limited electron conductivity, it is critical to build a carbon network that is not only highly conductive itself but also highly compatible with the electroactive material for efficient interfacial charge transfer. Herein, we design a multicomponent carbon network that is optimized for electrical coupling with the electroactive Nb₂O₅ nanorods for efficient electron injection. The self-support electrode is constructed by using 0D polypyrrole-derived (Ppy) carbon nanoparticles as glue to bind the Nb₂O₅ nanorods with 1D carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and 2D graphene nanosheets (GNSs). The 0D carbon nanoparticles also cross-link 1D CNTs with 2D GNSs, which can effectively prevent the GNSs from aggregation and form the 3D CNT/GNS network that provides continuous electronic and ionic pathways. This 3D Nb₂O₅@C self-support electrode exhibits a high discharge capacity of 246.3 mA h g^-1 at 0.5 C and 100 mA h g^-1 at 20 C and excellent Coulombic efficiency of 99.98% at 20 C. Even increasing the mass loading to 7.1 mg cm^-2, the Nb₂O₅@C electrode can still reach a discharge capacity of 172.4 mA h g^-1 at 0.5 C after 100 cycles. A high power density of 1043 W kg^-1 can be achieved at an energy density of 104.3 W h kg^-1 based on the electrode weight, which is among the highest values demonstrated so far for Nb₂O₅ electrodes. The results pave the way toward practical applications of Nb₂O₅ anodes in high-power lithium-ion batteries.

Recent Progress on Organic Electrodes Materials for Rechargeable Batteries and Supercapacitors

Rechargeable batteries are essential elements for many applications, ranging from portable use up to electric vehicles. Among them, lithium-ion batteries have taken an increasing importance in the day life. However, they suffer of several limitations: safety concerns and risks of thermal runaway, cost, and high carbon footprint, starting with the extraction of the transition metals in ores with low metal content. These limitations were the motivation for an intensive research to replace the inorganic electrodes by organic electrodes. Subsequently, the disadvantages that are mentioned above are overcome, but are replaced by new ones, including the solubility of the organic molecules in the electrolytes and lower operational voltage. However, recent progress has been made. The lower voltage, even though it is partly compensated by a larger capacity density, may preclude the use of organic electrodes for electric vehicles, but the very long cycling lives and the fast kinetics reached recently suggest their use in grid storage and regulation, and possibly in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The purpose of this work is to review the different results and strategies that are currently being used to obtain organic electrodes that make them competitive with lithium-ion batteries for such applications.

Helical Assembly of Flavin Mononucleotides on Carbon Nanotubes as Multimodal Near-IR Hg(II)-Selective Probes

The development of novel methods to detect mercury is of paramount importance owing to the impact of this metal on human health and the environment. We observed that flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and its helical assembly with a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) selectively bind Hg²⁺ arising from HgCl₂ and MeHgCl. Absorption spectroscopic studies show that FMN preferentially forms a 2:1 rather than a 1:1 complex with Hg²⁺ at high FMN concentrations. On the basis of the analogy to the thymine-Hg-thymine complex, it is proposed that the 2:1 complex between FMN and Hg²⁺ comprises a Hg-bridged pair of FMN groups, regardless of the presence of SWNT. Upon addition of as little as a few hundred nanomoles of Hg²⁺, both FMN and FMN-SWNT exhibit absorption and photoluminescence (PL) changes. Moreover, FMN-SWNT displays simultaneous multiple sigmoidal changes in PL of SWNT tubes having different chiral vectors. Assessment of binding affinities using the Hill equation suggests that 2:1 and 1:1 complexes form between Hg²⁺ and FMN groups on the FMN-SWNT. Theoretical calculations indicate that optical changes of the FMN-SWNT originate from Hg-mediated conformational changes occurring on the helical array of FMN on the SWNT. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed that the presence of Hg²⁺ in complexes with the FMN-SWNT enables visualization of helical periodic undulation of FMN groups along SWNT without the need for staining. Circular dichroism (CD) study revealed that FMN-SWNT whose CD signal mainly originates from FMN decreases dichroic bands upon the addition of Hg²⁺ owing to the formation of a centrosymmetric FMN-Hg-FMN triad on SWNT. The binding mode specificity and multimodal changes observed in response to Hg²⁺ ions suggest that systems based on FMN-SWNT can serve as in vivo NIR beacons for the detection of various mercury derivatives.

Pseudocapacitance electrode and asymmetric supercapacitor based on biomass juglone/activated carbon composites

A novel electrode material incorporating renewable biomass-derived juglone biomolecules with commercial activated carbon (AC) granules has been through simple ultrasonic dispersion and dissolution–recrystallization and was found to exhibit good electrochemical performance. The juglone biomolecules are prepared by an ultrasound-assisted extraction method from abandoned walnut peel, which decreases pollution and increases economic efficiency. Through the dissolution–recrystallization process with AC, a hierarchical structure with nanosized juglone particles was obtained, and the AC particles worked as scaffolding to strengthen the slight biomolecules, thus expanding the active sites and effectively reducing the dissolution of the active materials. The pseudocapacitance fading mechanism was investigated by ex situ FTIR measurement and the porous structure ensures that the composite electrode has an enhanced specific capacitance of 248 F g⁻¹ compared to 172.8 and 62.5 F g⁻¹ for the respective AC and juglone samples. Besides, the excellent cyclic stability (retained 75% after 3000 charge–discharge cycles) was demonstrated. The highest area-specific capacitance of the composites was 1300 mF cm⁻². An asymmetric supercapacitor based on this composite electrode was assembled with an AC electrode as the counter electrode and exhibited good cyclic performance at a voltage of 1.2 V (retained 77% after 3000 charge–discharge cycles), which provides a high energy density of 12 W h kg⁻¹ at a power density of 0.18 kW kg⁻¹ and a high power density of 2 kW kg⁻¹ at an energy density of 9 W h kg⁻¹. This work explores the application of biomolecule-based composites in energy storage devices and provides a potential strategy for constructing environmentally friendly electrodes.

A strategy for transforming abandoned walnut peel to excellent pseudocapacitance material. The activated carbon reshapes and anchors the juglone, which combined the EDLC and pseudocapacitance to achieve high electrochemical performance.

Achieving of High Density/Utilization of Active Groups via Synergic Integration of C=N and C=O Bonds for Ultra-Stable and High-Rate Lithium-Ion Batteries

Organic electrode materials are receiving ever-increasing research interest due to their combined advantages, including resource renewability, low cost, and environmental friendliness. However, their practical applications are still terribly plagued by low conductivity, poor rate capability, solubility in electrolyte, and low density/utilization of active groups. In response, herein, as a proof-of-concept experiment, C=N and C=O bonds are synergically integrated into the backbone of pentacene to finely tune the electronic structures of pentacene. Unexpectedly, the firstly obtained unique 5,7,11,14-tetraaza-6,13-pentacenequinone/reduced graphene oxide (TAPQ/RGO) composite exhibits superior electrochemical performances, including an ultra-stable cycling stability (up to 2400 cycles) and good rate capability (174 mAh g⁻¹ even at a high current density of 3.2 A g⁻¹), which might be attributed to the abundant active groups, π-conjugated molecular structure, leaf-like morphology, and the interaction between TAPQ and graphene.

Alkali Metal Ion Storage of Quinone Molecules Grafted on Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes at Low Temperature

9,10-Anthraquinone and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (PhQ) were grafted onto two kinds of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) samples having different mean tube diameters by diazo-coupling reactions. The structural details of PhQ-grafted SWCNT (PhQ/SWCNT) samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Raman measurements. It was discussed that a few-nanometer-thick layer of polymerized PhQs covers the outside of SWCNT bundles. The obtained PhQ/SWCNT works very well as lithium-ion battery and sodium-ion battery electrodes, not only at room temperature but also at 0 °C. It should be noted that the cycle performance of the PhQ/SWCNT electrode is much better than that of PhQ encapsulated in SWCNT (PhQ@SWCNT). We also calculated molecular base reaction energies by density functional theory calculations to gain a qualitative insight into the observed discharge potentials of the PhQ/SWCNT electrode.

Organic Carbonyl Compounds for Sodium-Ion Batteries: Recent Progress and Future Perspectives

Sodium-organic batteries, which use organic materials as the electrodes in sodium-ion batteries, are an attractive alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries for next-generation sustainable and versatile energy storage devices owing to the abundant sodium resources and environmental friendly features. However, organics used in sodium-ion batteries also encounter some issues such as low redox potential, high solubility in the electrolyte, and low conductivity. In response, altering the aromatic system/attaching electron-withdrawing groups, constructing polymers, and incorporating a conductive matrix are effective strategies. This review summarizes and briefly discusses recent organic carbonyl compounds for sodium-organic batteries from the viewpoint of function-oriented design, including function evolution from small-molecule compounds to polymers, then composites, and finally flexible electrodes. In particular, as a timely overview, carbonyl-based organic flexible electrodes for sodium-organic batteries are also highlighted for the first time.

Recent Progress in Organic Electrodes for Li and Na Rechargeable Batteries

Organic rechargeable batteries, which use organics as electrodes, are excellent candidates for next-generation energy storage systems because they offer design flexibility due to the rich chemistry of organics while being eco-friendly and potentially cost efficient. However, their widespread usage is limited by intrinsic problems such as poor electronic conductivity, easy dissolution into liquid electrolytes, and low volumetric energy density. New types of organic electrode materials with various redox centers or molecular structures have been developed over the past few decades. Moreover, research aimed at enhancing electrochemical properties via chemical tuning has been at the forefront of organic rechargeable batteries research in recent years, leading to significant progress in their performance. Here, an overview of the current developments of organic rechargeable batteries is presented, with a brief history of research in this field. Various strategies for improving organic electrode materials are discussed with respect to tuning intrinsic properties of organics using molecular modification and optimizing their properties at the electrode level. A comprehensive understanding of the progress in organic electrode materials is provided along with the fundamental science governing their performance in rechargeable batteries thus a guide is presented to the optimal design strategies to improve the electrochemical performance for next-generation battery systems.

In Situ Polymerization of Dopamine on Graphene Framework for Charge Storage Applications

Polydopamine, a functional coating material, is redox active as cathode materials for both Li- and Na-ion batteries or hybrid capacitors. Here, a polydopamine coating onto 3D graphene framework is introduced through a simple hydrothermal process, during which graphene oxide serves not only as an oxidant for assisting the polymerization of dopamine, but also as a template for the conformal growth of polydopamine. High-density films are fabricated by compressing the polydopamine-coated graphene aerogels, which can be directly used as free-standing and flexible cathodes in both Li- and Na-cells. The compact electrodes deliver high capacities of ≈230 mAh g^-1 in Li-cells and ≈211 mAh g^-1 in Na-cells based on the total mass of electrodes. These compact electrodes also exhibit exceptional cycling stability and high rate performance due to the unique structure in which polydopamine is uniformly coated on the 3D structured graphene.