Acidic triggering of reversible electrochemical activity in a pyrenetetraone-based 2D polymer

In this communication, a novel two-dimensional polymer network (DAPT-TFP) has been synthesized based on pyrenetetraone moieties connected through robust enamine functional groups. Results show that DAPT-TFP exhibit high thermal and chemical stability, even after subjecting the material to a basic or acidic media for certain time (1 M H2SO4 or 1 M NaOH, respectively). An application to conductive additive-free electrode is detailed, as a proof of the ideal interaction between the ions of the neutral aqueous electrolyte and the molecular polymer nanostructure activated by simple acidic treatment. Thus, the study indicates that the redox properties of new organic electrode materials exhibiting limited electroactive properties can be boosted by a straightforward acidic treatment. [Display omitted] •A novel 2D polymer network was synthesized based on pyrenetetraone moieties linked by enamine groups.•The polymer shows reversible redox activity in neutral aqueous media after acidic activation without any conductive additives.•This strategy envies novel possibilities of developing materials by applying low-cost methods.