Structural Improvement of the Blatter Radical for High-Current Organic Batteries

A shorter and more facile synthetic route for a cross-linked polymer based on the Blatter radical with a higher gravimetric capacity is presented. The material is processed in electrode films and characterized via cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic experiments. Several electrolyte mixtures are investigated to identify optimal conditions for the new material. The electrodes are utilized as a cathode material vs activated carbon in coin cells, where high currents of up to 60 C are applied, with a capacity retention of 24% compared to 1 C. In long-term experiments, the material reveals a promising stability with a capacity retention of 99% after 1000 cycles at 5 C. A comparison with a previously reported Blatter radical-based electrode material is done to investigate the influence of the molecular structure on the battery performance.

Automated summary

A shorter and more convenient synthetic route for a cross-linked polymer based on the Blatter radical with a higher gravimetric capacity is presented. The material is characterized and processed as electrode films, and optimal conditions for the new material are identified by investigating several electrolyte mixtures. The new material is utilized as a cathode material in coin cells, achieving a capacity retention of 24% compared to 1 C under high currents of up to 60 C. Long-term experiments show promising stability with a capacity retention of 99% after 1000 cycles at 5 C. A comparison with a previously reported Blatter radical-based electrode material is conducted to investigate the influence of molecular structure on battery performance.