ZIF-8 derived nitrogen-doped carbon composites boost the rate performance of organic cathodes for sodium ion batteries

Biomass derived organic materials have gained a worthy potential for electrode materials of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their high specific capacity, renewability, lower cost, and structural diversity. However, high solubility and poor electronic conductivity are the key obstacles in development of traditional organic electrodes. Herein, the composite material PI@NC is prepared using 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride ethylene diamine and nitrogen-doped carbon matrix through in-situ polymerization. The formation of NC conductive scaffolds establishes the efficient pathways in electrodes for electronic conduction. As per expectations, PI@NC as a cathode material boosts the rate performance of SIBs. Specifically, the as-prepared composites offer outstanding redox behavior with superior rate capacities of 91 mAh g(-1) at a higher current density of 10 A g(-1) for sodium storage. Moreover, in order to show the potential application values of electrode materials, a full battery is successfully fabricated based on our PI@NC cathode and commercial disodium terephthalate (NaTP) anode. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.