Hierarchical Nanostructured Benzoic Naphthalene Tetracarboxylic Di‐imide Organic Cathode for Lithium Ion Battery

Organic redox active molecules are the promising electrode materials for the Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The semiconducting nature and morphology of these materials provide more efficient charge transport. Hence, it is very important to perform systematic study of such molecules. Herein, we proposed single step synthesis of the benzoic naphthalene diimide (Benzoic-NTCDI) by the reaction of 1, 4, 5, 8- naphthalene tetracarboxylic dianhydride with 4-amino benzoic acid in presence of hydrated zinc acetate as a catalyst. As-synthesized benzoic NTCDI is characterised by using different characterization techniques. The morphological study clearly demonstrate hierarchical porous assembly of 3–5 micron comprised with nanopetals of thickness 5–10 nm. In this hierarchical nanostructure, the nanopetals are originated from the centre and confer voids between the layers of petals. This creates porosity throughout the hierarchical assembly. Considering such unique porous nanostructure and good conductivity of the Benzoic-NTCDI (1.19×10−5 S/m), it has been used as a cathode for LIB.The Li-cell was fabricated using Benzoic-NTCDI as a cathode which demonstrated the reversible capacity of 102 mAhg−1 at 0.05 C rate. Moreover, the capacity of 91 mAhg−1 is retained at current density of 0.1 C exhibiting good rate capability after 24 cycles. The Li-ion transport has been accelerated is ascribed to the porous hierarchical nanostructure. The potential of one of the heterocyclic molecule with hierarchical nanostructure as a cathode for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) has been demonstrated for the first time