Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous nitroxide polymer brush electrodes prepared by surface-initiated atom transfer polymerization for organic radical batteries

摘要

The synthesis and electrochemical performance of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) nitroxide polymer brush electrodes for organic radical batteries are reported. The 3DOM electrodes are synthesized via polystyrene colloidal crystal templating with electropolymerization of polypyrrole, modification of surface initiator, and surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The discharge capacity of the 3DOM electrodes is proportional to the thickness of the inverse opal. The discharge capacity of the 3DOM electrode at a discharge rate of 5 C is 40 times higher than that of the planar electrode; its cycle-life performance exhibits 96.1% retention after 250 cycles. Three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) nitroxide polymer brush cathodes for superior cathode materials in organic radical batteries have been fabricated. The 3DOM polymer brush electrodes have significantly higher energy and power densities than the comparable planar electrodes. The chemical synthetic route for the 3DOM electrode provides new guidelines for the design of electrodes by taking advantage of nitroxide polymer brushes and 3DOM electrodes.