Design of bipolar polymer electrodes for symmetric Li-dual-ion batteries

• A bipolar poly[anthraquinone-alt-dihydrophenazine] (PAQDPZ) is reported. • Characterizations confirm its polymer nature in Li-ion batteries. • In half cells, PAQDPZ exhibits the high energy density of 713 Wh kg -1 . • The full cells could deliver the peak discharge capacity of 224 mAh g -1 . • The symmetric Li-dual-ion batteries deliver the peak capacity of 105 mAh g -1 . Organic redox-active compounds are the very promising electrode materials for rechargeable metal-ion batteries. Here, a novel bipolar organic polymer electrode namely poly[anthraquinone-alt-dihydrophenazine] (PAQDPZ, ∼276 mAh g -1 ) is initially reported for Li-ion batteries. Nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography verify its purity and polymer nature. In half cells, PAQDPZ exhibits the high energy density of 713 Wh kg -1 . Meanwhile, the fabricated symmetric Li-dual-ion batteries with single PAQDPZ electrode can fulfil the “ready-to-charge” feature, simultaneously delivering the peak discharge capacity of 105 mAh g -1 cathode and the peak energy density of 126 Wh kg -1 cathode .