Molecular Design for Symmetric All-Organic Batteries

Symmetric batteries that use the same material as both cathodes and anodes have several advantages. However, traditional inorganic materials are facing challenges as electrode materials in symmetric batteries. The designable organic electrode materials (OEMs) make it possible to fabricate symmetric all-organic batteries (SAOBs), which are still in their infancy stage. Herein, we summarize the requirements of the OEMs for SAOBs and classify SAOBs based on the types of OEMs (n-type and bipolar, including carbonyl materials, materials with C=N groups, conducting polymers, free radical compounds, conjugated coordination polymers, arylamine derivatives etc.). We review the recent progress on SAOBs and analyze the advantages and shortcomings of different types of SAOBs. The strategies for designing OEMs in SAOBs with high performance are discussed. Thus, we hope this review will stimulate more interest in SAOBs and pave the potential application of SAOBs with high performance.