One-step synthesis of novel poly(terephthalate-alt-benzoquinone) with high specific capacity as a stable organic cathode for Li-ion batteries

Abstract

A novel polymer (PTPBQ) with alternating terephthalate (TP) and benzoquinone (BQ) moieties is synthesized for the first time as an organic cathode for Li-ion batteries. Both TP and BQ moieties probably could remain electrochemically active and thus may make PTPBQ realize a maximum 4-electron redox behaviour and a theoretical specific capacity of up to ∼390 mAh g⁻¹. In its practical application, Li-ion half cells based on PTPBQ can realize discharge capacities of ∼110 mAh g⁻¹ on average for 400 cycles (40 mA g⁻¹, 0.1C), and ∼180 mAh g⁻¹ on average for 200 cycles (80 mA g⁻¹, 0.2C) when the carbon additive is augmented to 40 wt%.