Tuning electron delocalization of hydrogen-bonded organic framework cathode for high-performance zinc-organic batteries

Abstract

Stable cathodes with multiple redox-active centres affording a high energy density, fast redox kinetics and a long life are continuous pursuits for aqueous zinc-organic batteries. Here, we achieve a high-performance zinc-organic battery by tuning the electron delocalization within a designed fully conjugated two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded organic framework as a cathode material. Notably, the intermolecular hydrogen bonds endow this framework with a transverse two-dimensional extended stacking network and structural stability, whereas the multiple C = O and C = N electroactive centres cooperatively trigger multielectron redox chemistry with super delocalization, thereby sharply boosting the redox potential, intrinsic electronic conductivity and redox kinetics. Further mechanistic investigations reveal that the fully conjugated molecular configuration enables reversible Zn²⁺/H⁺ synergistic storage accompanied by 10-electron transfer. Benefitting from the above synergistic effects, the elaborately tailored organic cathode delivers a reversible capacity of 498.6 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.2 A g⁻¹, good cyclability and a high energy density (355 Wh kg⁻¹).

The practical use of zinc-organic batteries has been hindered by their low energy density and rapid capacity decay. Here, the authors introduce a super electron-delocalized hydrogen-bonded organic framework by tuning electron delocalization as a cathode material for high-performance zinc-organic batteries.