Redox Polymers for Energy Devices

Abstract

Redox-active polymers are characterized by a dense population of the electron-releasing and -gaining site that allows efficient redox-gradient driven electron- or charge-transport and -storage throughout the polymer layers via self-exchanging reactions. The redox sites are robust nitroxide and phenoxyl, quinones, viologen, etc. The polymers provide surprisingly high current density beyond 1 A/cm², to yield very rapid charging, high energy density storage and cyclability in the electrode performance. Organic-based, high-power and flexible batteries are the application examples. A polymer-based hydrogen carrier utilizing the reversible redox or hydrogenation is also introduced.