A dual-ion battery using diamino-rubicene as anion-inserting positive electrode material

A novel and non-polymeric anion-inserting electrode material has been designed and prepared for promoting research on molecular ion rechargeable batteries: 5,12-diaminorubicene (DARb). The apolar core structure of a rubicene molecule has been coupled to two amino-groups for producing an original conjugated primary diamine exhibiting low affinity for polar solvents such as common carbonate-based battery electrolytes. The electrochemical reactivity of this organic molecule has been probed in a dual-ion cell configuration (vs. Li) using six different electrolyte formulations in terms of solvent (PC, EC-DMC) and lithium salt (LiPF6, LiClO4, LiTFSI). This diaminorubicene material systematically showed a reversible electroactivity and promising performances when using 1 M LiPF6 in EC:DMC (1:1 vol.%) as the electrolyte, such as an average potential of similar to 3.4 V vs. Li+/Li-0, an initial capacity of 115 mAh.g(-1) and a good capacity retention over 60 cycles without any optimization. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.