Molecular Engineering Design for High-Performance Aqueous Zinc-Organic Battery

Abstract

Highlights The conjugated thioether (–S–) bonds as connected units not only improve the conductivity of compounds but also inhibit their dissolution by both extended π-conjugated plane and constructed flexible molecular skeleton. The Zn//4S6Q battery based on 3.5 M Zn(ClO4)2 electrolyte shows excellent rate capacity (208.6 mAh g−1 at 30 A g−1), superlong cycling life (> 20,000 cycles with no capacity fading), and impressive low-temperature performance (201.7 mAh g−1 at − 60 °C). The H+-storage mechanism of 4S6Q compound is demonstrated by comprehensive characterizations.

Keywords

• Aqueous Zn-organic battery
• Small sulfur heterocyclic quinones
• Conjugated thioether skeleton
• Superlong cycling life
• H+-involved mechanism
•  − 60 °C