Citation: Xiaotong Deng, Zetao Wu, Anna Zhou, Shuo-Hang Zheng, Ziheng Cheng, Guangming Li, Yun Zhao, Ronghua Zeng, Nguyen Duc Hoa, Xing-Long Wu. Enhanced electrochemical performance of anthraquinone-based cathode for sodium ion batteries by π-conjugated structure[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(4): 111881. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111881 shu

Enhanced electrochemical performance of anthraquinone-based cathode for sodium ion batteries by π-conjugated structure

Xiaotong Deng ^{a, 1} ,
Zetao Wu ^{a, 1} ,
Anna Zhou ^a ,
Shuo-Hang Zheng ^b ,
Ziheng Cheng ^d ,
Guangming Li ^c ,
Yun Zhao ^e ,
Ronghua Zeng ^{a, *,} ,
Nguyen Duc Hoa ^{f, *,} ,
Xing-Long Wu ^{b, *,}

a.
Guangdong Provincial International Joint Research Center for Energy Storage Materials, National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of MPTES in High Energy and Safety LIBs, School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
b.
State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, MOE Key Laboratory for UV Light-Emitting Materials and Technology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
c.
Guangdong Superpack Technology Co., Ltd., Dongguan 523808, China
d.
School of Polymer Science and Engineer, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
e.
Institute of Molecular Science, Sodium-ion Battery Energy Storage Technology Key Laboratory Cultivation Base Jointly Constructed by the Department and City of Shanxi Province, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
f.
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST), Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

zengronghua@m.scnu.edu.cn

ndhoa@itims.edu.vn

xinglong@nenu.edu.cn

Received Date: 25 July 2025
Revised Date: 15 September 2025
Accepted Date: 23 September 2025
Available Online: 24 September 2025

Figures(6)

Quinone-based electrode materials hold significant promise for next-generation sodium-ion batteries due to their structurally tailorable frameworks, high theoretical capacities, and favorable redox potentials. However, dissolution in organic electrolytes and structural instability during cycling critically impair their capacity retention and cycling durability. Herein, we designed and synthesized two novel acylimide materials N,N'-bis(2,6-anthraquinone diamine)-biphenyl diimide (DQ-BDI) and N,N'-bis(anthraquinone-2,6-diamine)-perylenyl diimide (DQ-PDI) with the gradual enhancement of π-conjugation. Electrochemical characterization reveals exceptional performance in DQ-PDI. At the current density of 50 mA/g, the DQ-PDI delivered the first discharge specific capacity of 158 mAh/g, and the capacity retention of 99% after 100 cycles, with the coulombic efficiency of nearly 100%. At a high current density of 500 mA/g, the DQ-PDI displays a high discharge capacity of 152 mAh/g. The reduction peaks of DQ-PDI located at 2.28 V and 1.34 V are the insertion reactions of sodium ion from the carbonyl groups on PTCDA unit and on DAAQ unit at both ends, respectively, and the two oxidation peaks at 2.58 V and 1.53 V corresponds to extraction reactions. Compared with DQ-BDI, DQ-PDI exhibits a larger π-conjugation plane, which significantly enhances the intermolecular π-π interactions. It can well reduce the dissolution of the material in organic electrolyte, resulting in a higher discharge capacity, superior cycling stability and accelerated reaction kinetics. Our π-conjugation extension strategy establishes a new paradigm for designing dissolution-resistant, high-performance organic electrodes.
- Sodium-ion batteries,
- Quinone electrode materials,
- π-Conjugated system,
- Structural stability,
- Sodium storage mechanism
1. [1]
  H. Yu, S. Li, J. Yang, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 466 (2023) 143316. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.143316
2. [2]
  B. Zhao, Y. Si, W. Guo, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 32 (2022) 2112225. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202112225
3. [3]
  W. Tang, R. Liang, D. Li, et al., ChemSusChem 12 (2019) 2181–2185. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201900539
4. [4]
  Y. Shi, J. Yang, J. Yang, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 32 (2022) 2111307. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202111307
5. [5]
  Q. Zhang, Y. Dou, Q. He, et al., Energy Environ. Mater. 5 (2022) 1037–1059. doi: 10.1002/eem2.12275
6. [6]
  S.Y. An, T.B. Schon, B.T. McAllister, et al., EcoMat 2 (2020) e12055. doi: 10.1002/eom2.12055
7. [7]
  J.B. Gerken, C.W. Anson, Y. Preger, et al., Adv. Energy Mater. 10 (2020) 2000340. doi: 10.1002/aenm.202000340
8. [8]
  Z. Wu, Q. Liu, P. Yang, et al., Electrochem. Energy Rev. 5 (2022) 26. doi: 10.1007/s41918-022-00152-8
9. [9]
  S. Eder, D.J. Yoo, W. Nogala, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 59 (2020) 12958–12964. doi: 10.1002/anie.202003386
10. [10]
  S. Lee, G. Kwon, K. Ku, et al., Adv. Mater. 30 (2018) 1704682. doi: 10.1002/adma.201704682
11. [11]
  Y. Yao, M. Pei, C. Su, et al., Small 20 (2024) 2401481. doi: 10.1002/smll.202401481
12. [12]
  Y. Wu, H. Ye, Y. Li, Adv. Funct. Mater. 35 (2025) 2424329. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202424329
13. [13]
  H. Lu, J. Yu, J. Zhang, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 35 (2025) 2421858. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202421858
14. [14]
  S.H. Hsiao, W.K. Liao, G.S. Liou, Polym. Chem. 9 (2018) 236–248. doi: 10.1039/C7PY01897E
15. [15]
  Y. Lu, Q. Zhang, L. Li, et al., Chem 4 (2018) 2786–2813. doi: 10.1016/j.chempr.2018.09.005
16. [16]
  Y. Wu, R. Zeng, J. Nan, et al., Adv. Energy Mater. 7 (2017) 1700278. doi: 10.1002/aenm.201700278
17. [17]
  X. Gan, Z. Song, Sci. China Chem. 66 (2023) 3070–3104. doi: 10.1007/s11426-023-1738-3
18. [18]
  H. Zhang, C.E. Lin, M.Y. Zhou, et al., Electrochim. Acta 187 (2016) 125–133. doi: 10.3892/ol.2015.3904
19. [19]
  B. Tian, J. Zheng, C. Zhao, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A 7 (2019) 9997–10003. doi: 10.1039/c9ta00647h
20. [20]
  B. Jiang, T. Huang, P. Yang, et al., J. Colloid Interface Sci. 598 (2021) 36–44. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.04.018
21. [21]
  J. Yang, H. Su, Z. Wang, et al., ChemSusChem 13 (2020) 2436–2442. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201903227
22. [22]
  N. Daub, R.A.J. Janssen, K.H. Hendriks, ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 4 (2021) 9248–9257. doi: 10.1021/acsaem.1c01490
23. [23]
  Raj. M. Ruby, R.V. Mangalaraja, G. Lee, et al., ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 3 (2020) 6511–6524. doi: 10.1021/acsaem.0c00729
24. [24]
  M. Zhou, X. Li, H. Zhao, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A 6 (2018) 1621–1629. doi: 10.1039/c7ta08366a
25. [25]
  C. Wang, Q. Ji, R. Chu, et al., ACS Appl. Energy Mater. 4 (2021) 12641–12648. doi: 10.1021/acsaem.1c02393
26. [26]
  D. Zhu, L. Sheng, J. Wang, et al., Battery Energy 2 (2023) 20230002. doi: 10.1002/bte2.20230002
27. [27]
  F. Xu, H. Wang, M. Wu, et al., Mater. Chem. Phys. 214 (2018) 120–125. doi: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2018.04.079
28. [28]
  Z. Yao, W. Tang, X. Wang, et al., J. Power Sources 448 (2020) 227456. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.227456
29. [29]
  X. Lei, Y. Zheng, F. Zhang, et al., Energy Storage Mater. 30 (2020) 34–41. doi: 10.1016/j.ensm.2020.04.025
30. [30]
  C. Zhang, S. Chen, G. Zhou, et al., J. Electrochem. Soc. 168 (2021) 050548. doi: 10.1149/1945-7111/abf180
31. [31]
  B. Tian, G.H. Ning, W. Tang, et al., Mater. Horiz. 3 (2016) 429–433. doi: 10.1039/C6MH00072J
32. [32]
  Y. Wu, M. Lai, J. Liang, et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 15 (2022) 1452–1462. doi: 10.3390/cryst12101452
33. [33]
  Z. Sun, K. Zhu, P. Liu, et al., Adv. Funct. Mater. 31 (2021) 2107830. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202107830
34. [34]
  W. Zhao, X. Ma, Y. Zheng, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 459 (2023) 141629. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.141629
35. [35]
  L. Yue, D. Wang, Z. Wu, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 433 (2022) 134477. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2021.134477
36. [36]
  W. Luo, M. Allen, V. Raju, et al., Adv. Energy Mater. 4 (2014) 1400554. doi: 10.1002/aenm.201400554
37. [37]
  W.W. Deng, Y.F. Shen, J.F. Qian, et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 7 (2015) 21095–21099. doi: 10.1021/acsami.5b04325
38. [38]
  S. Zhuo, M. Tang, Y. Wu, et al., Nanoscale Horiz. 4 (2019) 1092–1098. doi: 10.1039/c9nh00154a
39. [39]
  R. Huang, Y. Cao, Qin S., et al., Mater Today Nano 18 (2022) 100217. doi: 10.1016/j.mtnano.2022.100217
40. [40]
  W. Zhao, X. Ma, X. Wang, et al., J. Mater. Chem. A 11 (2023) 2431–2442. doi: 10.1039/d2ta08276d
1. [1]
  Liangju Zhao , Shiyu Qin , Fei Wu , Limin Zhu , Qing Han , Lingling Xie , Xuejing Qiu , Hongliang Wei , Lanhua Yi , Xiaoyu Cao . Polycarbonyl conjugated porous polyimide as anode materials for high performance sodium-ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(8): 110246-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110246
2. [2]
  Xiping Dong , Xuan Wang , Zhixiu Lu , Qinhao Shi , Zhengyi Yang , Xuan Yu , Wuliang Feng , Xingli Zou , Yang Liu , Yufeng Zhao . Construction of Cu-Zn Co-doped layered materials for sodium-ion batteries with high cycle stability. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(5): 108605-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108605
3. [3]
  Qiong Su , Chao Hu , Sichan Li , Wenjun Huang , Jianyu Dong , Ren Song , Lan Xu , Guozhao Fang . Sodium-ion batteries at low temperature: Storage mechanism and modification strategies. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(12): 111267-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111267
4. [4]
  Yao Wang , Jun Ouyang , Huadong Yuan , Jianmin Luo , Shihui Zou , Jianwei Nai , Xinyong Tao , Yujing Liu . Impact of local amorphous environment on the diffusion of sodium ions at the solid electrolyte interface in sodium-ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(10): 110412-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110412
5. [5]
  Xuan Wang , Peng Sun , Siteng Yuan , Lu Yue , Yufeng Zhao . P2-type low-cost and moisture-stable cathode for sodium-ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(5): 110015-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110015
6. [6]
  Hongyi Zhang , Wenda Li , Hao Luo , Lingyan Huang , Facai Wei , Shanzhe Ke , Liguo Ma , Chengbin Jing , Jiangong Cheng , Shaohua Liu . Mesoporous N-rich carbon nanospheres regulating high dispersion of red phosphorus for sodium-ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(2): 110605-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110605
7. [7]
  Huixin Chen , Chen Zhao , Hongjun Yue , Guiming Zhong , Xiang Han , Liang Yin , Ding Chen . Unraveling the reaction mechanism of high reversible capacity CuP₂/C anode with native oxidation PO_x component for sodium-ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(1): 109650-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109650
8. [8]
  Jun Dong , Senyuan Tan , Sunbin Yang , Yalong Jiang , Ruxing Wang , Jian Ao , Zilun Chen , Chaohai Zhang , Qinyou An , Xiaoxing Zhang . Spatial confinement of free-standing graphene sponge enables excellent stability of conversion-type Fe₂O₃ anode for sodium storage. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(3): 110010-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110010
9. [9]
  Ruofan Yin , Zhaoxin Guo , Rui Liu , Xian-Sen Tao . Ultrafast synthesis of Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathode for high performance sodium-ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 109643-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109643
10. [10]
  Fanjun Kong , Jing Zhang , Yuting Tang , Chencheng Sun , Chunfu Lin , Tao Zhang , Wangsheng Chu , Li Song , Liang Zhang , Shi Tao . Introducing high-valence element into P2-type layered cathode material for high-rate sodium-ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(8): 110993-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.110993
11. [11]
  Wenya Li , Yuanqi Yang , Yuqing Yang , Min Liang , Huizi Li , Xi Ke , Liying Liu , Yan Sun , Chunsheng Li , Zhicong Shi , Su Ma . Insights into magnesium and titanium co-doping to stabilize the O3-type NaCrO₂ cathode material for sodium-ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(10): 110388-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110388
12. [12]
  Xiaoling Qiu , Ruijie Chen , Keren Luo , Xiaoran Wang , Tuan Wang , Pengcheng Shi , Wenlong Cai , Hao Wu . A high-tap-density, particle-nested-bulk bismuth anode for fast-charging sodium-ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2026, 37(4): 110792-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110792
13. [13]
  Yan-Jiang Li , Shu-Lei Chou , Yao Xiao . Detecting dynamic structural evolution based on in-situ high-energy X-ray diffraction technology for sodium layered oxide cathodes. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 110389-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110389
14. [14]
  Yanxue Wu , Xijun Xu , Shanshan Shi , Fangkun Li , Shaomin Ji , Jingwei Zhao , Jun Liu , Yanping Huo . Facile construction of Cu_2-xSe@C nanobelts as anode for superior sodium-ion storage. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(6): 110062-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110062
15. [15]
  Hong Yin , Danyang Han , Wei Wang , Zhaohui Hou , Miao Zhou , Ye Han , İhsan Çaha , João Cunha , Maryam Karimi , Zhixin Tai , Xinxin Cao . Bimetallic sulfide anodes based on heterojunction structures for high-performance sodium-ion battery anodes. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(12): 110537-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110537
16. [16]
  Zheng Li , Fangkun Li , Xijun Xu , Jun Zeng , Hangyu Zhang , Lei Xi , Yiwen Wu , Linwei Zhao , Jiahe Chen , Jun Liu , Yanping Huo , Shaomin Ji . A scalable approach to Na₄Fe₃(PO₄)₂P₂O₇@carbon/expanded graphite as cathode for ultralong-lifespan and low-temperature sodium-ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(10): 110390-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110390
17. [17]
  Jiaojiao Liang , Youming Peng , Zhichao Xu , Yufei Wang , Menglong Liu , Xin Liu , Di Huang , Yuehua Wei , Zengxi Wei . Boron/phosphorus co-doped nitrogen-rich carbon nanofiber with flexible anode for robust sodium-ion battery. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(1): 110452-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110452
18. [18]
  Wanxin Hu , Yan Shi , Junxia Yu , Haiyang Shi , Yingping Huang , Ruiping Li . Engineering 2D/2D FeOOH/BiOCl S-scheme heterojunction toward efficient and stable tetracycline photodegradation. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2026, 45(3): 100832-100832. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2025.100832
19. [19]
  Yining Li , Shimei Wu , Lantao Chen , Haosen Fan , Yufei Zhang , Lingxing Zeng . Multiple yolks-shell cobalt phosphosulfide nanocrystals encapsulating into rich heteroatoms co-doped carbon frameworks for advanced sodium/potassium ion batteries. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(9): 110371-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110371
20. [20]
  Shimei Wu , Yining Li , Lantao Chen , Yufei Zhang , Lingxing Zeng , Haosen Fan . Hexapod cobalt phosphosulfide nanorods encapsulating into multiple hetero-atom doped carbon frameworks for advanced sodium/potassium ion battery anodes. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(4): 109796-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109796

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(101)
HTML views(12)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142