Critical aspects of organic polymer batteries

For many years a serious challenger to the present day lead-acid and Ni/Cd-batteries has been sought. After the invention of electronically conducting polymers, these have belonged to the potential electrode materials for tomorrow's batteries. However, in many respects conducting polymers show a limited performance, and have thus still a long way to go until commercialization in batteries. In this presentation we discuss, in practical terms, many of the key parameters of organic polymer batteries. It is shown that low density and low charge density per surface area cause serious problems where energy density and electrode areas are concerned. One can, with a skilful design, achieve energy densities at best comparable to that of the lead-acid battery. In specific energies, however, a better performance can be forecasted.