Graphene-sandwiched nitrogen-enriched π-conjugated molecules as redox-active cathodes for Li-ion batteries

Abstract

A graphene-supported sandwiched composite (HAT-CN/Gr) was successfully fabricated through the layer-by-layer self-assembly of hexaazatriphenylenehexacarbonitrile (HAT-CN) on the surface of GO followed by thermal reduction. As applied to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the as-fabricated HAT-CN/Gr cathodes exhibit a superior reversal capacity (225 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.05 A g⁻¹), cyclic stability (retention of 142 mA h g⁻¹ at the 60th cycle) and rate capability (100 mA h g⁻¹ at 2.0 A g⁻¹) due to their architectural and compositional superiority compared with pure HAT-CN cathodes. This work could give new impetus to the development of high-performance organic composite electrodes for sustainable batteries.