High capacity and cycling stability of poly(diaminoanthraquinone) as an organic cathode for rechargeable lithium batteries

Abstract

Poly(1,5-diaminoanthraquinone) is synthesized by oxidative polymerization of diaminoanthraquinone monomers and investigated as an organic host for Li-storage reaction. Benefiting from its high density of redox-active, Li+-associable benzoquinone groups attached to conducting polyaniline backbones, this polymer undergoes its cathodic reaction predominately through Li+-insertion/extraction processes, delivering a very high reversible capacity of 285 mAh g-1. In addition, the PDAQ polymer cathode exhibits an excellent rate capability (125 mAh g-1 at 800 mA g-1) and a considerable cyclability with a capacity retention of ∼160 mAh g-1 over 200 cycles, possibly serving as a sustainable, high capacity Li+ host cathode for Li-ion batteries.