New organic active materials for energy storage with high capacity and high voltage

Since their discovery, the energy storage properties of organic electronic conductors have been widely studied [1]. Their versatility could provide an attractive alternative to inorganic active materials, since no expensive and polluting metals are used in their preparation. We have designed and investigated 3 new molecules with reversible redox properties, coupled with highly electronically conductive polymers. The electroactive molecules are responsible for the ionic energy storage, while the conductive polymers provide a backbone for fast electronic transfer to the current collector. The resulting materials showed electrochemical performance of interest in the field of energy storage, with high operating voltage and high capacity.We have tested the materials in conventional Li-ion half cells, as well as in lithium-free environments, thus removing all metals from the battery. We have also observed outstanding reversibility and long-term performance. In this contribution we will provide insight on the synthesis and characterization of these systems, as well as an outlook on the possibilities for future, all-organic, metal-free batteries with high performance and long life.