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Molecular Engineering of N‐heteroaromatic Organic Cathode for High‐Voltage and Highly Stable Zinc Batteries
Author(s) -
Yan Yichao,
Li Pei,
Wang Yiqiao,
Bi Leyu,
Lau Ting Wai,
Miao Mulin,
Yang Shuo,
Xiong Qi,
Lin Francis R,
Yip HinLap,
Yin Jun,
Zhi Chunyi,
Jen Alex K.Y.
Publication year - 2025
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.202312332
Subject(s) - cathode , materials science , electrochemistry , battery (electricity) , energy storage , organic radical battery , triphenylamine , cationic polymerization , voltage , redox , zinc , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , electrode , optoelectronics , electrical engineering , polymer chemistry , chemistry , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , metallurgy , engineering
Abstract Zinc batteries hold promise for grid‐scale energy storage due to their safety and low cost. A key challenge for the field is identifying cathode materials that can undergo reversible redox reactions at the extreme potentials required for realizing high energy density devices. While organic materials have been extensively explored as cathode materials due to their structural tunability and eco‐friendliness, most reported zinc‐organic batteries exhibit a voltage lower than 1.2 V. In this report, by employing rational molecular design and synthesis, computational analysis, and electrochemical evaluation, the well‐studied neutral p ‐type N‐centered is redesigned, triphenylamine organic cathode by replacing three phenyl rings with the smallest aromatic system – cationic cyclopropenium. This results in a novel class of cathode materials with simultaneously enhanced potential, capacity, and stability. The resultant full battery exhibits a high discharge voltage of 1.7 V and an outstanding capacity retention of 95% after 10000 cycles at a discharge capacity of 157.5 mAh g −1 cation (103.9 mAh g −1 salt).