High‐Performance Aqueous Zinc‐Organic Battery Achieved by Reasonable Molecular Design

Abstract Aqueous zinc‐organic batteries are considered as a promising candidate for the large‐scale energy storage systems. However, there are some challenges, involving inferior cycle stability (<3000 cycles) and low working potential, which restrain their extensive applications. Therefore, reasonable molecular design of organics is highly required to construct high‐performance zinc batteries. Herein, chalcogen atoms are introduced into the 9,10‐anthraquinone (AQ) molecule, and the anthraquinone analogues with fused heteroaromatic structures are obtained with increased working potentials and energy densities. In particular, the benzo[1,2‐b : 4,5‐b’]dithiophene‐4,8‐dione (BDTD) is proposed as the promising cathode with a long‐term lifespan of up to 12000 cycles and outstanding rate performance. Its operation mechanism involves the reversible co‐coordination reaction of hydrated Zn 2+ and H + with carbonyl groups. Moreover, the good rate and cycle performance can be retained even with a high mass loading cathode (10 mg cm −2 ), which is close to the commercial level. This work will guide the exploration of zinc‐organic battery.