A novel polyphosphazene with nitroxide radical side groups as cathode-active material in Li-ion batteries

Abstract

A novel polyphosphazene carrying stable nitroxide aromatic radical groups as a pendant with four electrons involvement per repeating unit is synthesized. To do so, series of macromolecular substitution reactions of poly (dichlorophosphazene) with 3,5-dibromophenol, 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane, and lead oxide, respectively, are performed. After characterization of the newly synthesized polymers by standard spectroscopic techniques (such as Fourier transform infrared [FT-IR], nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR], or electron paramagnetic resonance [EPR]), the targeted polymer is further investigated as a cathode-active material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The cell delivered a good rate performance with a discharge capacity of 100 mAh/g at a C/2 current density over 500 cycles.