Toward Organic Carbonyl-Contained Small Molecules in Rechargeable Batteries: A Review of Current Modified Strategies

Benefiting from high specific capacity, molecular structural diversity, low cost and renewability, widely concerned small organic carbonyl electrode materials have been developed rapidly in recent years and are expected to be applied in next-generation large-scale energy storage fields and flexible devices. Nevertheless, the inherent insulation and high solubility in organic electrolytes and other fundamental issues restrict their electrochemical performance and result in unexpected capacity decay, preventing them from commercial application in rechargeable batteries. This perspective predominantly summarizes the recently modified methodologies that have been proposed to date for organic carbonyl-contained small molecules as electrode materials. The specific modification approaches for tackling the problems mainly include molecular design, salt formation, preparation of nanoelectrode materials, surface coating, compounding with various electronically conductive materials, and employing all-solid or quasi-solid batteries. The above pivotal issues can be effectively solved with these modification strategies, and superior electrochemical performance could be dramatically realized. By reviewing the advantages and limitations of these modified strategies, the future developing directions of organic carbonyl-contained small molecules in rechargeable batteries are also prospected.