Organic Cathode with Dual-Type Multielectron Reaction Centers for High-Energy-Density Lithium Primary Batteries

Organic electrode materials are composed of abundant elements, have diverse and designable molecular structures, and are relatively easily synthesized, promising a bright future for low-cost and large-scale energy storage. However, they are facing low specific capacity and low energy density. Herein, we report a high-energy-density organic electrode material, 1,5-dinitroanthraquinone, which is composed of two kinds of electrochemically active sites of nitro and carbonyl groups. They experience six- and four-electron reduction and are transformed into amine and methylene groups, respectively, in the presence of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) in the electrolyte. Drastically increased specific capacity and energy density are demonstrated with an ultrahigh specific capacity of 1321 mAh g-1 and a high voltage of ∼2.62 V, corresponding to a high energy density of 3400 Wh kg-1. This surpasses the electrode materials in commercial lithium batteries. Our findings provide an effective strategy to design high-energy-density and novel lithium primary battery systems.