User:Jean Bosco Nkuranga

= The future of batteries: Organic batteries = Energy storage devices, especially batteries are growing world wide due to the advances in technology. The currently used batteries are inorganic ones that are metal-based electrodes such as lithium (Li), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), vanadium (V), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), etc. However, the mining and purification of these metals cause drastic environmental pollution and carbon dioxide emissions while treating them, especially during industrial refining. In addition, the use of inorganic batteries lead to metal waste generation, especially from non-rechargeable inorganic batteries. The recovery of metals (recycling) from inorganic battery wastes is still a challenge when it comes to assess efficiency and sustainability.

The development of organic batteries have been fueled and  heaved by the global economic growth and climate change due to the continuous use of fossil fuel-based energy sources. The global economic growth and electronic device dependencies in various field of life, digital technology (mobile), aerospace (use of drones, satellites), and robotics necessitate the use of energy storage devices that are smart, lighter and affordable. The development of organic batteries and their hybrids that are transition/toxic heavy metal-free is currently being envisaged as the greener alternative due to their natural abundance and easy tunability when it comes to improve their electrochemical properties.

The improvement in the performance of organic cathode/anode materials is still the subject of research in organic batteries. For instance the functionalization of the organic compound while anticipating to increase the cell voltage should focus on the introduction of electron withdrawing group (EWG) that are chemically stable (-F, -CN, -Cl, etc.). In addition, extending hyperconjugation in the chemical structures (usually with aromatic benzene rings or stable heterocyclic compounds: pyridine, hydroquinones, benzoquinones, conjugated polymers, etc.) was also found to boost electrical conductivity. Furthermore, the design of metal-organic framework (MOF) can be envisaged in order to  increase energy density of organic batteries.

Even if organic electrode materials for energy storage have recently recognized an attention and renaissance, there are still significant drawbacks and challenges to overcome prior to large-scale toward commercialization. These include fast discharge, lower energy density and voltage, as well as degradation in electrolyte.

My current PhD research project is about the development of organic battery by using selected cathode materials that are synthetic organic maleimides and maleic anhydride-based compounds. The anode material is preferably lithium, sodium and potassium. In the future, calcium, magnesium and aluminum as polyvalent metals can be envisaged because they are naturally abundant than lithium and they are recognized for their potential contribution capabilities in the increase of the cell voltage because they can release more electrons than group I anode metals (Li, Na and K).