Redox Donor-Acceptor Conjugated Microporous Polymers as Ultralong-Lived Organic Anodes for Rechargeable Air Batteries

Herein, we explore a new redox donor-acceptor conjugated microporous polymer (AQ-CMP) by utilizing anthraquinone and benzene as linkers via C-C linkages and demonstrate the first use of CMP as ultralong-lived anodes for rechargeable air batteries. AQ-CMP features an interconnected octupole network, which affords not only favorable electronic structure for enhanced electron transport and n-doping activity compared to linear counterpart, but also high density of active sites for maximizing the formula-weight-based redox capability. This coupled with highly cross-linked and porous structure endows AQ-CMP with a specific capacity of 202 mAh g(-1) (96 % of theoretical capacity) at 2 Ag-1 and approximate to 100 % capacity retention over 60000 charge/discharge cycles. The assembled CMP-air full cell shows a stable and high capacity with full capacity recovery after only refreshing cathodes, while the decoupled electrolyte and cathode design boosts the discharge voltage and voltage efficiency to approximate to 1 V and 87.5 %.

Automated summary

The use of anthraquinone and benzene as linkers in the preparation of AQ-CMP resulted in a polymer with favorable electronic structure and high density of active sites, leading to excellent charge-discharge performance with stable high capacity and long cycle life.