Improved electrochemical performance of lithium/sodium perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylate as an anode material for secondary rechargeable batteries

Lithium perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylate (Li-PTCA) is synthesized starting from perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracaboxylicacid-dianhydride (PTCDA). In Li-PTCA, the carbonyl group of the carboxylate redox centers exhibits excellent electrochemical reversibility at an average voltage of 1.2 V with respect to Li+/Li. We have improved the rate capability and capacity of Li-PTCA based electrode by in-situ coating of Li-PTCA with conducting acetylene black carbon. We have demonstrated enhanced rate capability, improved capacity and reduced charge transfer resistance in the in-situ carbon coated electrode vis a vis electrode fabricated by conventional method. A capacity of 120 mAh g(-1) is observed at the end of the 50 cycles, at 240 mA g(-1). Ex-situ XRD studies have revealed that the crystal structure is robust and is stable for reversible insertion of Li. In-situ carbon coated Na-PTCA shows better reversibility and high capacity retention even after 100 cycles when cycled using current densities as high as 500 mA g(-1). Copyright (C) 2015, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.