An Amorphous Polyimide-Based Positive Electrode for High-Capacity and Durable Aluminum Dual-Ion Batteries.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Redox-active organic materials are promising for sustainable rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries (RABs).
• Challenges include sluggish kinetics and capacity fading due to ion diffusion and poor structural stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop high-capacity, stable polyimide-based positive electrode materials for aluminum-polymer batteries.
• To address limitations of existing organic electrode materials for RABs.

Main Methods:

• An amorphous polymerization strategy was employed using rational imidization molecular design.
• Polyimide-based materials were synthesized and characterized for electrochemical performance.

Main Results:

• The amorphous polyimide electrodes exhibited high specific capacity (191 mAh g^-1 at 50 mA g^-1) and rate capability (135 mAh g^-1 at 500 mA g^-1).
• Exceptional cycling stability was achieved with 95% capacity retention over 2400 cycles at 1 A g^-1.
• A bipolar-redox charge storage mechanism involving imide carbonyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was identified.

Conclusions:

• The amorphous polymerization strategy successfully created stable, high-performance polyimide electrodes for RABs.
• This approach enhances active site accessibility and structural integrity, paving the way for robust polymer-based aluminum batteries.