Chloroaluminate-ions driven all-organic rechargeable batteries

Abstract

Graphite intercalation compounds are the main reason behind the successful Li-ion battery technology. However, the alternative chemistries in the energy storage sector are up surging to achieve high energy and power densities with enhanced safety measures using the cost-effective materials. Dual-ion batteries fall into such category, typically designed with the graphite electrodes. The major challenge is the design of the electrodes that are capable of allowing bulky ions upon intercalation without causing any structural disintegration. To surpass this challenge, bipolar organic electrodes are of preferable choice due to the ease of processability and tunability. Here, we report organic electrode as prospective battery material for the dual-ion batteries application. Polythiophene composite with carbon nanotubes achieved through a single pot chemical oxidative synthetic procedure and the successful composite is comprehensively evaluated using FTIR, FESEM, and HRTEM analyses. The synergetic impact of forming the composite is thoroughly studied with the electrochemical analysis, where the composite shown ∼200 mAh/g, retained at the current density of 50 mA/g. The composite sustains for > 900 cycles, maintaining > 99% Coulombic efficiency. The charge holding mechanism is studied for the composites using the XPS, FTIR and XRD patterns recorded on the cycled electrodes, delineating the efficiency of the electrodes for practical applications. Post electrochemical analysis on the electrodes reveal the stable morphology of the composite with better porosity and no passivation formed, leaving positive note on the composite formation over the pristine electrodes.