Synthesis of Organic Radical Copolymers Based on Polystyrene and Their Performance for Batteries

Abstract

: In this study, homo and copolymers of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl methacrylate(TMA) and synthesized styrene derivative, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-4-vinylbenzyl ether(TVBE) were obtained by radical polymerization and oxidized to produce corresponding polymer radicals. The polymer radicals were mixed with carbon black, binders and coated onto Al current collector. The battery performance is then characterized by fabricating coin cells. As results, the polystyrene based organic radicals show lower oxidize efficiency and discharge capacity than methacrylate based one. However, the former shows better capacities from discharge experiments performed at 60 o C which suggests a possible way to overcome the high temperature fade out of performance in usual organic radical batteries. Also as expected, an excellent C-rate performance is observed in all the cells consisted of organic polymer radicals.