Progress in Pyrene-4,5,9,10-Tetraone-Based Organic Electrode Materials for Rechargeable Batteries

Pyrene-4,5,9,10-tetraone (PTO), a coal tar derivative with redox-active ortho-carbonyl groups, has been intensively explored for sustainable organic electrodes due to its remarkably high capacity, superior redox robustness, and versatile cation storage. However, PTO often suffers from poor cycling stability due to its slight solubility in organic electrolytes, thereby causing detrimental shuttle effects and self-discharge behavior, ultimately reducing battery efficiency and lifespan. Its low electrical conductivity also results in poor rate performance. Recently, various strategies have been developed to address these challenges, aiming to enhance battery efficiency, lifespan, and rate performance. In this review, the latest progress in enhancing the performance of PTO-based electrodes and their applications in various battery types is presented. First, a brief discussion is provided on the relationship between the structural characteristics of PTO and its electrochemical performance. Then, approaches to inhibiting the shuttle effect of molecular PTO are outlined and compared. Furthermore, the design and synthesis of PTO-based polymer electrode materials are discussed. Finally, some perspectives and challenges are put forward regarding the performance improvement of PTO-based electrode materials, inspiring further development of not only PTO but also other organic electrode materials in electrochemical energy storage applications.