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Dibenzo[a,e]Cyclooctatetraene-Functionalized Polymers as Potential Battery Electrode Materials
Gauthier Desmaizieres1, Martin E Speer1,2, Inna Thiede3
1Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Albertstraße 21, Freiburg, 79104, Germany.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|March 4, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed new dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraene (DBCOT) polymers for sustainable batteries. These organic redox polymers show promise as negative electrode materials, offering low potentials for high-voltage applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Organic redox polymers are crucial for developing sustainable rechargeable batteries.
- Low-potential (<2 V vs. Li|Li+) negative electrode materials are needed for high-voltage organic cells.
- Dibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraene (DBCOT) exhibits reversible two-electron reduction below 1 V vs. Li|Li+ and conformational changes upon reduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize novel aliphatic DBCOT-based polymers.
- To investigate the electrochemical properties of these polymers for potential use as battery electrode materials.
- To explore DBCOT polymers for applications beyond batteries, such as molecular actuators.
Main Methods:
- Development of a three-step synthetic route to 2-bromo-functionalized DBCOT precursor.
- Synthesis of three aliphatic DBCOT-polymers.
- Electrochemical characterization using cyclic voltammetry (CV) in solution and on thin films.
- Half-cell battery measurements.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of three aliphatic DBCOT-polymers.
- CV measurements confirmed the redox activity and low potentials of DBCOT polymers.
- Half-cell tests revealed pseudo-capacitive behavior with significant Faradaic contributions.
Conclusions:
- DBCOT-based polymers are promising candidates for sustainable organic battery electrodes.
- The conformational change of DBCOT upon reduction suggests potential in molecular actuator applications.
- Optimizing electrode composition and fabrication is key to fully realizing the redox activity of DBCOT polymers.
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