A nitroaromatic cathode with an ultrahigh energy density based on six-electron reaction per nitro group for lithium batteries

Significance Organic electrode materials have shown great potential in lithium batteries in terms of easy synthesis, raw materials abundance, and environmental friendliness. However, the traditional organic electrodes typically experience single-electron reaction per active group, leading to limited specific capacities and energy densities. Herein, we report a battery chemistry of a nitroaromatic cathode, in which six-electron transfer occurs on each nitro group, resulting in an ultrahigh specific capacity and energy density, higher than all existing organic electrode materials and even most inorganic electrode materials.