Immobilization of Multi-Carbonyl Molecules on High Surface Area Carbon for Energy Storage Applications

Abstract

The synthesis of diamino-aryl-1,4,5,8-naphtalenetetra-carboxylic diimide molecule (NTCDA-(aryl-NH2)2) was reported. This molecule was characterized by elemental analysis, SEM, IR and TGA. A organic Li-ion electrode with NTCDA-(aryl-NH2)2 as active material was tested and a reversible behavior was observed with a multiple electrons process delivering about 100 mAh.g-1 at an average potential of 2.45 V vs. Li/Li+. In parallel, the diazotization study of this molecule was investigated with a three-electrode assembly. Then, the electrochemical reduction of freshly formed NTCDA-(aryl-N2 +)2 ions was followed by cyclic voltammetry experiments. An irreversible cathodic wave at around 0.0 V vs. Ag/AgNO3 that is associated to the reduction of the in-situ generated NTCDA-(aryl-N2 +)2 ions was observed. The blocking effect of the grafted layer deposited on the glassy carbon surface was verified with ferrocene as a redox probe. Finally, the immobilization of this molecule on Ketjen black carbon powder by spontaneous reduction of freshly formed NTCDA-(aryl-N2 +)2 ions was realized in a one-pot reaction. The redox-active carbon with a loading of grafted groups estimated between 26.4 and 36.7 wt. %, depending of the method of modification, cycled at high rate for thousands of cycles.