Recent Progress and Design Principles for Rechargeable Lithium Organic Batteries

Abstract

The most commonly used electrode materials in lithium organic batteries (LOBs) are redox-active organic materials, which have the advantages of low cost, environmental safety, and adjustable structures. Although the use of organic materials as electrodes in LOBs has been reported, these materials have not attained the same recognition as inorganic electrode materials, mainly due to their slight electronic conductivity and possible solubility in organic electrolytes, resulting in a low reversible capacity. However, over the past 10 years, organic materials have achieved outstanding results when used as battery electrodes, and an increasing number of researchers have realized their significance. This review summarizes the recent progress in organic electrodes for use in rechargeable LOBs. By classifying Li-storage mechanisms with various functional organic groups and designing molecules for next-generation advanced lithium organic systems, we attempt to analyze the working principle and the effect of various organic functionalities on electrochemical performance, to reveal the advantages and disadvantages of various organic molecules and to propose possible design principles and development trends for future LOBs. In addition, we highlight the recently reported two-dimensional covalent organic framework that is unique in its extensive π conjugated structure and Li-storage mechanisms based on benzene and N-containing rings; this framework is considered to be the most promising alternative to metal-based electrode materials with comparable large reversible capacities and long cycle lives.

Graphical abstract

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(52073170)

Start-Up grant and scientific research project of Chaohu University(KYQD-202008)

Shanghai Municipal Education Commission(2019-01-07-00-09-E00021)

Innovative Research Team of High-level Local Universities in Shanghai