This project targets on the establishment of electrochemical power storage devices based on polyradical cell reactions. So-called “organic radical batteries” (ORBs) allow higher rate capability and extended cycle life (>1000 cycles) compared to other battery types, but still exhibit high charge/discharge capacities (~ 200 mAh/g).

In the 1970s secondary organic batteries were described by Heerer et al. using doped polyacetylene. Intensive research resulted in matrix polymers ensuring charge transfer by electron-hopping along various, redox-active side chains. The most common example for a cathode active material is represented by the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl (TEMPO) unit immobilized at an polymer matrix. The working principle is based on nitroxide radicals getting oxidized to oxoammonium cations during the charging step, followed by the corresponding back reaction during the discharge step.

Based on the state of the art, this promising power storage device is investigated together with the Polymer Competence Center Leoben (PCCL) and the Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials (ICTM, TU Graz).