A polyacetylene derivative with pendant TEMPO group as cathode material for rechargeable batteries

A composite cathode material comprised of a polyacetylene derivative with pendant TEMPO electro-active groups and graphite has been obtained and successfully utilized in a rechargeable battery against a Li anode. The battery has an initial specific discharge capacity of 102.6 mAh/g and an initial specific energy capacity of 315.9 mWh/g. This specific energy capacity is very high compared to today's conventional lithium-ion batteries with cathodes made of LiFePO4, LiCoO2, LiMnO2, etc. The battery has retained 77% of its energy capacity after 40 charge–discharge cycles. A composite cathode material comprised of a polyacetylene derivative with pendant TEMPO electro-active groups and graphite has been obtained and successfully utilized in a rechargeable battery against a Li anode. The battery has an initial specific discharge capacity of 102.6 mAh g−1and an initial specific energy capacity of 315.9 mWh g−1which is very high compared to today's conventional lithium-ion batteries with cathodes made of LiFePO4, LiCoO2, LiMnO2, etc. It has retained 77% of its energy capacity after 40 charge–discharge cycles. [Display omitted] •A polyacetylene with pendant TEMPO radical has been used as a cathode active material.•Graphite-polymer composite material cathode and Li anode have been used.•The initial specific discharge capacity of the battery is 102.6 mAh g−1.•The initial specific energy capacity of the battery is 315.9 mWh g−1.•Battery has retained 77% of its energy capacity after 40 charge–discharge cycles.