Cathode- and Anode-Active Poly(nitroxylstyrene)s for Rechargeable Batteries: p- and n-Type Redox Switching via Substituent Effects

Abstract

Three polystyrenes bearing redox-active nitroxide radical(s) in each repeating unit, poly[4-(N-tert-butyl-N-oxylamino)styrene] (1), poly[3,5-di(N-tert-butyl-N-oxylamino)styrene] (2), and poly[4-(N-tert-butyl-N-oxylamino)-3-trifluoromethylstyrene] (3), were synthesized via free radical polymerization of protected precursor styrenic derivatives and subsequent chemical oxidation. The radicals in these polymers were robust at ambient conditions, and the polymers possessed radical densities of 2.97 × 1021, 4.27 × 1021, and 1.82 × 1021 unpaired electrons/g for 1−3, respectively, resulting in an electrode-active material with a high charge/discharge capacity. Particularly, the dinitroxide functional polymer 2 possessed the highest radical density. Cyclic voltammetry of the poly(nitroxylstyrene) 1 revealed a reversible redox at 0.74 V vs Ag/AgCl, which was assigned to the oxidation of the nitroxide radical to form the oxoammonium cation (p-type doped state). On the other hand, the poly(nitroxylstyrene) ortho-subs...