One-pot solvothermal incorporation of graphene into chain-engineered polyquinones for metal-free supercapacitors

Synthesis and Redox Activity of Polyenaminones for Sustainable Energy Storage Applications

In the search for novel polymeric molecules that could be used as electroactive materials, seven novel polyenaminones were prepared in high yields by the transaminative polymerization of resorcinol-derived bis-enaminones with m- and p-phenylenediamine and with 2,5-diaminohydroquinone. The obtained polymers show very low solubility in organic solvents and absorb UV light and visible light at wavelengths below 500 nm. All the obtained polymeric products were tested for redox activity in a Li battery setup. The 2,5-diaminohydroquinone-derived compound showed the best redox activity, with a maximum capacity of 86 mAh/g and relatively good capacity retention, thus confirming the hydroquinone group as the primary redox-active group. Other potential redox-active groups, such as resorcinol and conjugated carbonyls, showed limited activity, while variations in the phenylene groups and the substitution of phenolic groups in the resorcinol residue did not impact the electrochemical activity of the polymers. Their electrochemical properties, together with their previously established chemical recyclability, make polyenaminones promising scaffolds for the development of materials for sustainable energy storage applications.

Dual Molecules Cooperatively Confined In-Between Edge-oxygen-rich Graphene Sheets as Ultrahigh Rate and Stable Electrodes for Supercapacitors

Noncovalent modification of carbon materials with redox-active organic molecules has been considered as an effective strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors. However, their low loading mass, slow electron transfer rate, and easy dissolution into the electrolyte greatly limit further practical applications. Herein, this work reports dual molecules (1,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone (DHAQ) and 2,6-diamino anthraquinone (DAQ)) cooperatively confined in-between edge-oxygen-rich graphene sheets as high-performance electrodes for supercapacitors. Cooperative electrostatic-interaction on the edge-oxygen sites and π-π interaction in-between graphene sheets lead to the increased loading mass and structural stability of dual molecules. Moreover, the electron tunneling paths constructed between edge-oxygen groups and dual molecules can effectively boost the electron transfer rate and redox reaction kinetics, especially at ultrahigh current densities. As a result, the as-obtained electrode exhibits a high capacitance of 507 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 , and an unprecedented rate capability (203 F g-1 at 200 A g-1 ). Moreover, the assembled symmetrical supercapacitor achieves a high energy density of 17.1 Wh kg-1 and an ultrahigh power density of 140 kW kg-1 , as well as remarkable stability with a retention of 86% after 50 000 cycles. This work may open a new avenue for the efficient utilization of organic materials in energy storage and conversion.

Graphene coupled flower-like oxidized-polyacrylonitrile as high-performance anodes for sustainable lithium-ion batteries

In situ polymerization of acrylonitrile and graphene oxide in combination with thermal treatment was readily performed to produce robust hierarchical hybrids containing flower-like oxidized-polyacrylonitrile, which synergistically couple conductive graphene and a multi-electron redox-active matrix, affording large reversible capacity, high rate capability, and long cycle life toward cost-efficient and sustainable batteries.

Ultrasmall Mo2C nanocrystals embedded in N-doped porous carbons as a surface-dominated capacitive anode for lithium-ion capacitors

In situ uniform confinement of ultrasmall Mo2C nanocrystals into micropore-enriched N-doped carbons was achieved by carbonizing phosphomolybdic acid/polyimide precursors to craft a surface-dominated capacitive battery-type anode. Upon coupling with a capacitor-type cathode, the as-fabricated lithium-ion capacitors exhibit superior power and energy outputs by improving the kinetics and capacity imbalance between two electrodes.