Unlocking Multielectron Transfer in a Quinone–Pyrazine Conjoined Redox Core for Capacity-Doubled and Ultrastable Aqueous Organic Redox Flow Batteries
Aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs) face energy density and stability challenges. We introduce DAPQ, an anthraquinone-phenazine fused molecule with a π-conjugated architecture enabling four-electron storage. The rigid fused-ring structure integrates four redox-active sites, enhancing aromaticity to resist degradation while achieving reversible multielectron transfer and superior volumetric capacity. The 0.6 M DAPQ-based AORFB delivers an exceptionally high energy density of 53.59 Wh L<sup>-1</sup> (53.48 Ah L<sup>-1</sup>), and the 0.5 M DAPQ-based AORFB delivers a capacity retention of 99.86% over 2,300 cycles (1991 h), showing merely 0.0017% daily decay. Stable operation persists even at 50 °C, confirming conjugated rigidity's critical role in redox core stabilization and longevity. Mechanistic studies reveal that extended π-conjugation and balanced charge distribution synergistically inhibit parasitic reactions. This conjugation-driven multielectron design establishes a paradigm for developing high-capacity, durable organic charge carriers, advancing scalable, safe, and sustainable grid-scale energy storage solutions.
Authors
- Guochun Ding (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5468-5979)
- Yongkang Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1062-6635)
- Zuoao Wu
- Tengfei Dai
- Binze Yang
- Zhihu You
- Pengbo Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8822-2868)
- Zhong Jin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8860-8579)
- Yichao Yan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7889-6394)
- Yuzhu Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9163-6105)
- Sheng Wen
- Zuoxiu Tie
- Jie Wei
Institutions
- Green Chemistry (PL)
- Ministry of Education and Child Care (CA)
- Nanjing University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of the American Chemical Society
- Published
- 2025-12-04
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c17809
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Advanced battery technologies research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.46