In Situ Growth and Wrapping of Aminoanthraquinone Nanowires in 3 D Graphene Framework as Foldable Organic Cathode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract

Small conjugated carbonyl compounds are intriguing candidates for organic electrode materials because of their abundance, high theoretical capacity, and adjustable molecular structure. However, their dissolution in aprotic electrolytes and poor conductivity eclipse them in terms of practical capacity, cycle life, and rate capability. Herein, we report a foldable and binder-free nanocomposite electrode consisting of 2-aminoanthraquinone (AAQ) nanowires wrapped within the 3 D graphene framework, which is prepared through antisolvent crystallization followed by a facile chemical reduction and selfassembly process. The nanocomposite exhibited a very high capacity of 265 mA h g at 0.1 C for AAQ, realizing 100 % utilization of active material. Furthermore, the nanocomposite shows superior cycling stability (82 % capacity retention after 200 cycles at 0.2 C and 76 % capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 0.4 C) and excellent rate performance (153 mA h g at 5 C). Particularly, the nanocomposite can deliver the highest capacity of 165 mA h g among all reported anthraquinone- and anthraquinone-analogues-based electrodes per mass of the whole electrode, which is essential for practical application. Such outstanding electrochemical performance could be largely attributed to the wrapping structure of the flexible composite, which provides both conductivity and structural integrity.

Recent Advances in Nanowire‐Based, Flexible, Freestanding Electrodes for Energy Storage

“…[62] Although these compounds can offer a high theoretical capacity,l ow conductivity and solubility in the electrolyte are two major challenges. [65] Benefiting from the 1D nanostructure of AAQ, which shortenst he ion diffusiond istance and promotes electron flow,t ogether with the 3D graphene frame,w hichp rovides the continuous conductingn etwork and protectsA AQ from dissolution, the composite electrode displays ah igh reversible capacity,e xcellent cycling and rate capability,and good flexibility. For example, PI was composited with SCNTst oo btain hybrid electrodes that exhibited promisinge lectrochemical performances in flexible LIBs.…”

Cross‐Conjugated Polycatechol Organic Cathode for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Storage

“…Moreover, there are apparent weight losses for four samples after 400 8C, which are ascribed to the decompositions of both the oligomers within the PC/G composites and the residualo xygen-containing functional groups on the surface of graphene. [16] These resultsd emonstratet hat PC has commendable thermal stability caused by the polymerization of catechol through the FeCl 3 initiator. [17] Moreover,t he mass losses of all the PC/G samples are lower than that of PC, which is attributed to the excellent thermals tability of graphene.…”

“…From the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curves (Figure a), there are slight weight losses for four samples before 400 °C, which are attributed mainly to the removal of absorbed moisture on these samples. Moreover, there are apparent weight losses for four samples after 400 °C, which are ascribed to the decompositions of both the oligomers within the PC/G composites and the residual oxygen‐containing functional groups on the surface of graphene . These results demonstrate that PC has commendable thermal stability caused by the polymerization of catechol through the FeCl 3 initiator .…”

3D Graphene Composites for Efficient Electrochemical Energy Storage

“…This strategy is typically realized by one‐pot treatment of the mixture of GO and precursors of functional components . In fact, these treatments have been earlier used for synthesizing 3DG alone, which includes hydrothermal/solvothermal methods, chemical reductions, and so on.…”

“…In this regard, organic materials have demonstrated intrinsic advantages since they often have benzene ring–based building blocks that could have strong π–π interaction or other functional groups that could interact with oxygen‐containing functional groups on the surface of GO. For example, we have constructed 3DG–hydroquinone, 3DG–polyimides, and 3DG–2‐aminoan‐thraquinone composite based on the electrostatic interaction and π–π stacking interaction between these organic materials with graphene. Extra linker could also be employed to immobilize the crystal seeds on 3DG and enable the in situ growth of ultradispersed nanocrystals, which was demonstrated by different morphology and distribution of TiO 2 nanocrystals on 3DG fabricated in the absence and presence of glucose .…”