A Layered Metal-Free Cathode Material for High-Energy, High-Power and Long-Lasting Lithium- and Sodium-Ion Batteries

Eliminating the use of critical metals in cathode materials can accelerate global adoption of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, especially in large-scale applications such as grid storage. Organic cathode materials, derived entirely from earth-abundant elements, are in principle ideal alternatives but have not yet challenged inorganic cathodes due to poor conductivity, low practical storage capacity despite high theoretical values, or poor cyclability. We describe a layered organic electrode material whose high electrical conductivity, high storage capacity, and complete insolubility enable reversible intercalation of Li⁺ ions in between molecular vdw 2D layers, allowing it to compete at the electrode level, in all relevant metrics, with inorganic-based lithium-ion battery cathodes. Our optimized cathode stores 306 mAh g^–1, delivers an energy density of 765 Wh kg^–1, both at the electrode level, which are higher than most cobalt-based cathodes, and can charge–discharge in as little as 6 min. These results demonstrate the operational competitiveness of sustainable organic electrode materials in practical batteries.