Molecular Anions Move Faster than Lithium Ions as Charge Carriers in the Organic Battery Electrodes: Insights from 2,6‐Bis(diphenylamino)anthraquinone

In view of the growing demand for sustainable energy storage solutions, the potential of secondary batteries is being focused on. Lithium‐ion batteries often rely on cathode materials containing scarce rare metals. Therefore, reducing the amount of these metals in the cathode materials or developing alternatives is crucial. Minor‐metal‐free organic materials with redox activity are promising alternatives. Some organic compounds have moieties allowing the insertion and deinsertion of cations as well as anions during charging and discharging cycles. This study aims to determine if the insertion and deinsertion of monatomic cations or molecular anions offer superior rate performance in organic materials. We are focusing on 2,6‐bis(diphenylamino)anthraquinone, which, after in‐cell polymerization, accommodates the insertion and deinsertion of both cations (Li+) and anions (PF6−). The investigation of the reaction rates for each ion reveals that molecular anions move faster than monatomic lithium‐ions as charge carriers in the organic battery electrodes. The findings provide insights into the ion dynamics within organic electrode materials as well as shed light on anion batteries, which outperform cation batteries, such as lithium‐ion batteries.