Integrated Dimeric Naphthoquinone[2,3‐d] Imidazole on Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Enables High‐Rate and Stable Aqueous Proton Batteries
Abstract We develop a high‐performance aqueous organic proton battery material (MnO₂@GF//PND@SWCNT) through in situ synthesis of a π‐extended dimer naphthoquinone (2,2′‐(1,4‐phenyl)bis(1H‐naphtho[2,3‐d]imidazole‐4,9‐dione), PND) on single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) templates. The nucleophilic‐electrophilic amphiphilic imidazole groups create efficient proton‐conducting channels, while SWCNT‐directed assembly yields highly crystalline PND@SWCNT with enhanced π‐π interactions and electron delocalization. The material demonstrates exceptional electrochemical performance, delivering 158.4 mAh g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ and 121.3 mAh g⁻¹ at 10 A g⁻¹, with 87.39% capacity retention after 20 000 cycles at 10 A g⁻¹. When paired with a MnO₂@graphite felt (MnO₂@GF) cathode, the battery maintains stable operation across a wide temperature range (−20 to 40°C). The bipolar imidazole groups facilitate rapid proton transport during charge/discharge, enabling outstanding rate capability. This work presents a novel molecular design strategy for proton battery materials through conjugated systems with proton‐conducting moieties, offering significant potential for stationary energy storage applications.
Authors
- Hongbin Sun (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9007-4091)
- Na Ju
- Yongjian Ai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3018-8027)
- Guangwen Xu
- Suyan Niu
- Yao Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0713-5018)
- Xinyue Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1292-7393)
- Xin Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1779-1091)
- Yiming Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0498-9288)
- Xinyu Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4464-5674)
- Wenlong Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2402-0685)
Institutions
- Institute of New Materials (CN)
- Shenyang University of Chemical Technology (CN)
- China Agricultural University (CN)
- Northeastern University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Functional Materials
- Published
- 2025-05-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202422711
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Advanced battery technologies research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.92
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Key Technologies Research and Development Program
- National Key Research and Development Program of China