OH-substituted 2, 3-dichloro-5, 6-dicyano-1, 4-benzoquinone as highly stable organic electrode for lithium ion battery

Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) with organic electrode materials have drawn considerable attentions with advantages of their flexibility, low cost, and green sustainability, but been limited by high solubility in aprotic electrolytes, leading to capacity decay and short cycling life. Herein, we focus on the co-effect of structural modification and the increase of conductive carbon in electrode composites to accommodate soluble quinonic materials and achieve a long cycling life. Here, 2,3-dichloro-5-hydroxy-6-cyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DHCQ) is synthesized through a simple chemical hydrolysis of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ). The increase of conductive additive not only enhances the electronic conductivity but also suppresses the dissolution of DHCQ. Benefiting from reasonable molecular design and appropriate control of conductive carbon, the as-prepared material demonstrates a high reversible capacity (921 mA h g−1 at 50 mA g−1), good rate capability (207 mA h g−1 at 5 A g−1) and long-term cycling stability (remaining retention of around 78% after 400 cycles at 500 mA g−1). [Display omitted] •2,3-Dichloro-6-hydroxy-5-cyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DHCQ) was synthesized and examined as a novel organic electrode for LIBs.•The DHCQ electrode showed a capacity of 534 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 400 cycles.•DHCQ presented better rate performance and cyclability than the raw material (DDQ).•Appropriate control of Super P in DHCQ composite could also realize good stability.