A High-Potential Bipolar Phenothiazine Derivative Cathode for Aqueous Zinc Batteries

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) offer economical and safe energy storage solutions.
• Resource-abundant materials are crucial for sustainable battery development.
• Organic electrode materials are emerging as promising alternatives to traditional inorganic options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel bipolar phenothiazine organic scaffold, PTDM.
• To evaluate PTDM as a high-potential cathode material for rechargeable AZIBs.

Main Methods:

• Nucleophilic substitution reaction between phenothiazinium tetraiodide hydrate (PTD) and melamine to synthesize PTDM.
• Electrochemical testing of PTDM in an aqueous PTDM//Zn full cell configuration.

Main Results:

• The synthesized PTDM demonstrated suitability as a high-potential cathode material.
• The aqueous PTDM//Zn full cell achieved a high average voltage of approximately 1.13 V.
• A specific capacity of 118.3 mAh g⁻¹ was recorded at 0.1 A g⁻¹, with stable cycling over 6400 cycles.

Conclusions:

• PTDM is a promising organic cathode material for rechargeable AZIBs.
• The developed material exhibits excellent electrochemical performance and cycling stability.
• This study highlights the potential of organic electrode materials in advancing AZIB technology.