Highly porous electroactive polyimide-based nanofibrous composite anode for all-organic aqueous ammonium dual-ion batteries

Abstract Aqueous ammonium dual-ion batteries (ADIBs), especially those integrating organic electroactive materials and functioning in a mild electrolyte of ammonium sulfate solution, have attracted increasing attentions in the stationary electrochemical storage area due to their inherent safety, sustainability, and environmental friendliness features. Herein, a flexible electroactive polyimide/nitrogen-doped carbon/carbon nanotubes (PI/NDC/CNT) composite nanofiber membrane with highly interconnected conductive porous structure is prepared through electrospinning and in-situ pyrolysis/imidization treatments for ADIB applications. The electroactive PI achieves uniform distribution, high utilization and ultrafast reaction kinetics within PI/NDC/CNT electrode. As a result, the PI/NDC/CNT electrode exhibits high reversible capacity of 161 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, good rate capability, and satisfying capacity retention over 87.9% after 5000 cycles. Besides, an all-organic aqueous ADIB using PI/NDC/CNT and polyaniline/carbon nanofiber composites as anode and cathode respectively, achieves ultralong cycle stability and high energy density of 114.3 W h kg−1.