Chang Su*ab, 
Lvlv Jib, 
Lihuan Xu*a, 
Ningning Zhoua, 
Guosheng Wanga and 
Cheng Zhangb
aCollege of Chemical Engineering, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, Shenyang, 110142, P. R. China. E-mail: suchang123@hotmail.com; xulihuanss@163.com;  Fax: +86-24-89383902;   Tel: +86-24-89383902
bState Key Laboratory Breeding Base for Green Chemistry Synthesis Technology, College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Chaowang Road 18#, Hangzhou, 310014, P. R. China
First published on 19th February 2016
A high free radical density polytriphenylamine derivative, poly(1-N,1-N,4-N-triphenyl-4-N-[4-(N-[4-(N-phenylanilino)phenyl]anilino)phenyl]benzene-1,4-diamine) (PFTP) has been synthesized and investigated as the cathode material of organic free radical batteries for the first time. The molecular structure, thermal-stability, morphology, spectral characteristics and electrochemical properties of the prepared polymer were characterized by Raman spectroscopy (RS), electron spin resonance (ESR), pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Also, the charge–discharge properties of the prepared polymers were studied by galvanostatic charge–discharge testing. Compared to PTPA, it was found that PFTP not only had improved thermal stability and morphology, but also exhibited obvious four-electron redox characteristics. At a discharge current of 20 mA g−1, the PFTP electrode presented a multi-stage discharge platform and an improved discharge capacity of 74.2 mA h g−1 compared to PTPA, which could be attributed to the high free radical density and the improved morphology of the obtained novel polymer. The above exploratory work made it promising to design the multi-electron redox centers of the polytriphenylamine-based polymer to obtain improved electrochemical performance.
Among all endeavors, stable radical polymers and their derivatives have been explored as cathode-active charge-storage materials for lithium ion batteries due to their good cycling stability and stable voltage platform.18 Polytriphenylamine (PTPA) and its derivatives containing triphenylamine radical units and a highly conductive polyparaphenylene (PPP) back-bone combined with the high energy density of the electroactive polyaniline unit, belong to a family of radical polymers, which have been widely applied as organic electroluminescence (EL) materials, photo-conduction materials and organic solar cell materials.19 More recently, PTPA-based functional polymers have been studied as the electrode-active material for supercapacitors and lithium ion batteries,20–23 and they display good electrochemical performances and relatively smooth charging and discharging voltage platforms (∼3.6 V), resulting from the π-conjugated electron-structure and reversible redox radical nature of the triphenylamine substructure in the polymers. In order to obtain applicable organic cathodes with higher energy density, it is necessary to increase the specific capacity of the organic cathode material by the means of novel molecular structure design. According to the formula for the calculation of the theoretical specific capacity of an organic electrode material (C (mA h g−1) = [n × F (C mol−1)]/Mw (g mol−1), in which C, n, F and Mw respectively mean the theoretical specific capacity, the transferred electron number in each structural unit, the Faraday constant and the molecular weight of the structural unit), there are two ways to improve the theoretical capacity of the material: one is adopting multi-electron reactions and another is to reduce the molecular weight of the structural unit. In our prior work, we have prepared a PTPA derivative (poly [N,N,N,N-tetraphenylphenylenediamine] (PDDP)) with a two electron redox process in every structural unit of the polymer, which exhibited double electron electrochemical characteristics and an improved cell performance as the cathode material of lithium ion batteries.23 Inspired by this previous work, we will attempt to make a further exploration of the novel PTPA-based free radical polymer with multiple redox centers, in order to obtain further understanding of the relationship between the molecular structure of an electro-active polymer and its electrochemical properties.
In this paper, a polytriphenylamine derivative, poly(1-N,1-N,4-N-triphenyl-4-N-[4-(N-[4-(N-phenylanilino)phenyl]anilino) phenyl]benzene-1,4-diamine) (PFTP), with four redox centers in the structural unit has been designed and prepared. The material’s structure and electrochemical characteristics as well as the cell performance for the novel triphenylamine free radical-based cathode material were also systematically investigated. Also, the charge–discharge mechanism of the prepared polymer during the charge–discharge process was explored, correspondingly.
1-N,1-N,4-N-Triphenyl-4-N-[4-(N-[4-(N-phenylanilino)phenyl]anilino)phenyl]benzene-1,4-diamine (FTP) was synthesized through an Ullmann reaction: 4.8454 g (15 mmol) of (4-bromo-phenyl)-diphenyl-amine, 1.3016 g (5 mmol) of N,N′-diphenyl-benzene-1,4-diamine, 1.6872 g (15 mmol) of KOtBu, 0.05 g of Pd(OAc)2 and 5 mL of PtBu3 were dissolved in 40 mL of toluene in a N2 atmosphere. Then the mixture was stirred at 110 °C for 12 h. After reaction, the solution was filtered and then washed with toluene to remove the unconverted reactants. The residue was dried under vacuum at 80 °C for 12 h. The product was acquired as a cement colored solid power in an 87.90% yield. 1H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.25 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 12H), 7.11 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 12H), 7.04–6.94 (m, 18H). MS (EI): calculated for C54H42N4 m/z: 746.34, found m/z: 746.14.
![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) :
:![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) 40
40![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) :
:![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) 10 with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as the solvent, on circular Al current collector foils, followed by drying at 60 °C for 10 h. The electrochemical performances were evaluated with CR2032-type coin cells assembled in an argon-filled glove box, with the prepared cathode, a metal lithium foil as the anode, polypropylene film (Celgard 2300) as the separator and a solution of 1 M LiPF6 dissolved in ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) (EC/DMC = 1
10 with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as the solvent, on circular Al current collector foils, followed by drying at 60 °C for 10 h. The electrochemical performances were evaluated with CR2032-type coin cells assembled in an argon-filled glove box, with the prepared cathode, a metal lithium foil as the anode, polypropylene film (Celgard 2300) as the separator and a solution of 1 M LiPF6 dissolved in ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) (EC/DMC = 1![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) :
:![[thin space (1/6-em)]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_2009.gif) 1, v/v) as the electrolyte. All of the organic solvents and the electrolyte were of battery grade. The charge–discharge measurements were carried out on a LAND CT2001 A in the voltage range of 2.5–4.2 V vs. Li/Li+, using a constant current density at room temperature. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests were performed with a CHI 660E electrochemical working station in 0.1 M LiCO4/CH3CN vs. Ag/AgCl at a scan rate of 100 mV s−1. Spectroscopy (EIS) experiments were also carried out using a CHI 660E electrochemical working station, with the measured lithium ion half-cells at a charge stage, the applied frequency ranging from 0.1 Hz to 1 MHz and an applied amplitude of 5 mV.
1, v/v) as the electrolyte. All of the organic solvents and the electrolyte were of battery grade. The charge–discharge measurements were carried out on a LAND CT2001 A in the voltage range of 2.5–4.2 V vs. Li/Li+, using a constant current density at room temperature. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests were performed with a CHI 660E electrochemical working station in 0.1 M LiCO4/CH3CN vs. Ag/AgCl at a scan rate of 100 mV s−1. Spectroscopy (EIS) experiments were also carried out using a CHI 660E electrochemical working station, with the measured lithium ion half-cells at a charge stage, the applied frequency ranging from 0.1 Hz to 1 MHz and an applied amplitude of 5 mV.
![[double bond, length as m-dash]](https://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e001.gif) N stretching), and 1608 cm−1 (C–C ring stretching).24 Also, a new peak for the symmetric stretching of N–Ar–N is observed clearly at 1351 cm−1 in the spectrum of PFTP, but, comparatively, it is not found in PTPA, indicating that the novel polymer possesses the p-phenylene structure and PFTP has been synthesized successfully. What’s more, the peak intensity for C–N–C stretching at 1490 cm−1 in the spectrum of PFTP is stronger than that of PTPA, which is in accordance with the increased density of the N-phenylene structure in the obtained PFTP polymer. To confirm the existence of free radicals in the polymers, Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) for both PTPA and PFTP was also explored, accordingly. As shown in Fig. 2, in the inset box, a small and broad peak (g value equal to 2.00654) shown in the spectrum demonstrates the existence of free radicals in PTPA. For PFTP, the free radical characteristic peak, i.e., g value located at 2.00340 with the obvious broad peak shape and the enhanced peak intensity, can be attributed to the specific molecular structure of PFTP with an improved free radical density.
N stretching), and 1608 cm−1 (C–C ring stretching).24 Also, a new peak for the symmetric stretching of N–Ar–N is observed clearly at 1351 cm−1 in the spectrum of PFTP, but, comparatively, it is not found in PTPA, indicating that the novel polymer possesses the p-phenylene structure and PFTP has been synthesized successfully. What’s more, the peak intensity for C–N–C stretching at 1490 cm−1 in the spectrum of PFTP is stronger than that of PTPA, which is in accordance with the increased density of the N-phenylene structure in the obtained PFTP polymer. To confirm the existence of free radicals in the polymers, Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) for both PTPA and PFTP was also explored, accordingly. As shown in Fig. 2, in the inset box, a small and broad peak (g value equal to 2.00654) shown in the spectrum demonstrates the existence of free radicals in PTPA. For PFTP, the free radical characteristic peak, i.e., g value located at 2.00340 with the obvious broad peak shape and the enhanced peak intensity, can be attributed to the specific molecular structure of PFTP with an improved free radical density.
Pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) are two effective identification techniques to analyze the molecular structure of polymer materials, as well as the molecular weight and the degree of polymerization of the polymers, respectively.25,26 As shown in Fig. S1 (seen in the ESI†), the Py-GC-MS chromatogram of PFTP shows three distinctive peaks, which are located at 31.25, 48.02 and 53.14 minutes, corresponding to the compounds with a molecular ion at 245.08, 336.08 and 412.11 m/z in the mass spectrum, respectively. Those three characteristic peaks correspond to the fragments of triphenylamine, N,N,N′-triphenyl-benzene-1,4-diamine and N,N,N,N-tetraphenylphenylenedi-amine, respectively, indicating that those fragments are present in the obtained PFTP polymer. From the MALDI-TOF-MS spectra of the as-prepared polymers (as shown in Fig. S2-1 and S2-2 of the ESI†), some information can be acquired about the molecular weight and the degree of polymerization of the prepared polymers (as shown in Tables S1 and S2 of the ESI†). For PTPA, the lowest and the highest molecular weights of the polymers combined with the ion are 731 and 3890 Da, corresponding to the polymerization degree changing from three to sixteen in the polymer. As to PFTP, the lowest and the highest molecular weights of the polymers combined with the ion are 745 and 2978 Da, in accordance with the polymerization degree changing from one to four in PFTP. The above results indicate that the prepared polytriphenylamine-based derivatives are actually oligomers and/or macromolecules, which limits the number of triphenylamine moieties in both PTPA and PFTP (the FTP monomer can be defined as the integration of four triphenylamine moieties) not to exceed sixteen.
UV-vis spectroscopy (normalized absorbance) is a powerful tool to explore the electronic structure characteristics of molecules, and was applied to investigate the electronic characteristics of the PTPA and PFTP samples in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). As can be seen in Fig. 3, PTPA exhibits one absorption peak at 353.5 nm, which is attributed to the π–π* electron transition of the triphenylamine units. For PFTP, the corresponding absorption peak for the π–π* electron transition clearly red-shifts from the 353.5 nm seen in PTPA to 412.5 nm, which is due to the prepared novel PFTP’s extended triphenylamine structure which compacts the free radical density more closely in the triphenylamine-based unit of the polymer. As a result, the charge carrier transportation in the PFTP polymer becomes more smooth and favorable, leading to the red-shift phenomenon for the absorption peak of the π–π* electron transition in the triphenylamine units.27,28
The thermal stabilities of the PTPA and PFTP samples were also measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the measurements were carried out from room temperature to 800 °C with a heating rate of 10 °C min−1 in a N2 atmosphere. As shown in Fig. 4, the small weight loss before about 200 °C for PTPA and PFTP is mainly attributed to the loss of the residual water and solvent molecules remaining in the polymers. With further temperature programming, a multi-step mass loss for PTPA started at about 310 and continued until 760 °C. This occurred during the temperature-rise period, and is possibly caused by the polymerization degree ranging from three to sixteen (as proved by MALDI-TOF-MS spectra). In contrast, the thermogram of PFTP shows only one obvious narrow thermal degradation process, starting at about 400 °C and ending at 490 °C, which is attributed to the narrow molecular change range of PFTP from one to four. Also, it indicates the improved thermal stability of PFTP compared to PTPA. Generally, the improved thermal stability of PFTP will be beneficial to its practical application as a safe cathode of lithium ion batteries in the future.
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| Fig. 4 TGA of PTPA and PFTP, measuring from room temperature to 800 °C at a heating rate of 10 °C min−1 in a N2 atmosphere. | ||
Fig. 5 displays the morphology of the as-obtained polymers. As can be seen in Fig. 5a and c, PTPA presents a dense packing sheet-like morphology with significant aggregation, which may be caused by the steric torsion inducing nature of the big triphenylamine units in the polymer. In contrast, as shown in Fig. 5b and d, PFTP exhibits a loose stacking structure assembled by many smaller particles. We speculate that this variant morphology for PFTP is a result of the unique structure of the FTP monomer, which has an obvious effect on the obtained polymer molecular structure and aggregation behavior as well as the morphology of the resultant polymer. Also, this loose stacking morphology of PFTP is favourable for the electrolyte to diffuse and migrate into the composite electrode, leading to the close contact of the electrode-active material and the electrolyte ions during the charge–discharge process, which is very crucial for obtaining the desired electrochemical performance for the electrode materials of lithium ion batteries.
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| Fig. 5 SEM images of samples (a) PTPA and (b) PFTP; (c) and (d) partially enlarged SEM images of (a) and (b), respectively. | ||
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| Fig. 6 Cyclic voltammograms (CV) of PFTP and PTPA in 0.1 M LiClO4/CH3CN vs. Ag/AgCl at a scan rate of 100 mV s−1: (a) PFTP; (b) PTPA; (c) PFTP and PTPA together. | ||
The cycling stability of the electroactive polymers as the cathode materials of lithium ion batteries was also investigated between 2.5–4.2 V at a constant current of 20 mA g−1. As shown in Fig. 7B, the PTPA electrode exhibits a comparatively stable cycling performance, and after 50 cycles, its discharge capacity changes from 62.3 mA h g−1 to 58.4 mA h g−1 with a 6.3% loss of the initial capacity. PFTP exhibits unstable and fluctuating cycling performances, but has no obvious capacity decay, even after 50 cycles. Also, it can be considered that this degeneration of the cycle performance is possibly caused by significant re-aggregation of PFTP morphology during the charge–discharge cycles, due to the pristine looser stacking micro-structure of PFTP than that of PTPA. Furthermore, it can be observed that although there is unstable fluctuation of the discharge capacity of PFTP, the discharge specific capacity of PFTP after 50 cycles is still higher than that of PTPA, demonstrating that PFTP electrodes present excellent electrochemical stability.
Additional electrochemical measurements for PTPA and PFTP were conducted by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A Nyquist plot of the impedance spectra taken under open circuit conditions for cells with the considered cathodes is shown in Fig. 8. In these impedance plots, the initial intercept of the spectrum at the Zre axis at high frequencies corresponds to the resistance of the electrolyte (Re). The semicircle in the middle impedance frequencies represents the charge transfer reaction resistance (Rct), while the straight lines with a slope of about 45° at low frequencies is connected to the lithium ion diffusion in the cathode material and is described by the Warburg impedance (Zw), which shows the diffusion-controlled process.29,30 As is shown in Fig. 8, the Re is almost the same for the two cells with different cathode materials, indicating that there is no significant change in ionic conductivity of the electrolyte or mobility of ions with the different cathode-based cells during the cycling process. However, the charge transfer resistance (Rct) varies with the different cathode materials; the Rct for the PTPA and PFTP electrodes are 644 Ω and 175 Ω, respectively. The reduced charge transfer resistance of the PFTP electrode may be attributed to its unique structure and high free radical density, which results in the charge migration occurring smoothly and quickly along the polymer backbone. Furthermore, the smaller particles and the loose stacking structure of PFTP are beneficial to obtain a higher specific surface area, and make the electrolyte penetration easier during the charge–discharge process, which also enhances the decrease of the charge transfer reaction resistance (Rct).
| Footnote | 
| † Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6ra03248f | 
| This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2016 |