Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Characterization of Electrode Materials for Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries Using Synchrotron Radiation Techniques
Published on: November 11, 2013
Reversible Redox Chemistry of Azo Compounds for Sodium-Ion Batteries
Chao Luo1, Gui-Liang Xu2, Xiao Ji1,3
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20740, USA.
Abstract:
Sustainable sodium-ion batteries (SSIBs) using renewable organic electrodes are promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for the large-scale renewable energy storage. However, the lack of high-performance anode material impedes the development of SSIBs. Herein, we report a new type of organic anode material based on azo group for SSIBs. Azobenzene-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid sodium salt is used as a model to investigate the electrochemical behaviors and reaction mechanism of azo compound. It exhibits a reversible capacity of 170 mAh g-1 at 0.2C. When current density is increased to 20C, the reversible capacities of 98 mAh g-1 can be retained for 2000 cycles, demonstrating excellent cycling stability and high rate capability. The detailed characterizations reveal that azo group acts as an electrochemical active site to reversibly bond with Na+ . The reversible redox chemistry between azo compound and Na ions offer opportunities for developing long-cycle-life and high-rate SSIBs.
Related Concept Videos
Batteries and Fuel Cells
Balancing Redox Equations
Redox Reactions
Lewis Structures of Molecular Compounds and Polyatomic Ions
Ions, Molecules, and Compounds
Precipitation of Ions
The equation that describes the equilibrium between solid calcium carbonate and its solvated ions is:

