Recent advances in p-type polymeric electrode materials towards high-voltage 4.0 V-class organic lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries stand at the forefront of energy storage technologies, facilitating the transition towards sustainable and electrified systems. However, to meet the increasing demands for energy density, safety, and longevity, the development of high-performance electrode materials is paramount. Although inorganic materials have been dominant in the current lithium-ion battery cathodes, the widely utilized inorganic cathode materials suffer from drawbacks, such as limited capacity, high energy consumption during their production, safety hazards associated with toxic metals (Li, Co, Mn, and Ni), and high raw material costs, due to their limited or localized resource distributions. Alternatively, polymeric materials have emerged as promising candidates to replace conventional inorganic materials due to their advantages such as abundance, environmentally friendly resources, structural diversity, ease of functionalization, fabrication, recycling, high capacity and rate capability, and excellent flexibility. This review article explores the strategic design principles underlying the synthesis and optimization of p-type polymeric electrode materials for next-generation 4.0 V-class batteries. Through a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements, morphology control, and interface engineering, this review elucidates the key strategies employed to achieve high-energy-density electrodes. Additionally, this review discusses the fundamental mechanisms governing the electrochemical performances of p-type polymeric electrodes and highlights the emerging trends and future directions in this field. By integrating insights from materials science, electrochemistry, and engineering, this review provides a roadmap for the rational design and development of p-type polymeric electrode materials towards the realization of high-performance 4.0 V-class lithium-ion batteries.