Synthesis of nitroxide radical polymers and their application to an electrode-active material

A nitroxide radical is able to be electrochemically oxidized to the corresponding oxoammonium cation (p-type doping) and reduced to the aminoxyl anion (n-type doping). These redox properties are suitable as an electrode-active material of a next generation secondary battery. We have reported an application of TEMPO-substituted polymethacrylate to an cathode material. We report here synthesis of two nitroxide-substituted polystyrene derivatives and their electrochemical properties. Cyclic voltammogramsoftheradicalpolymersshowedthep- or n-type reversible waves which are tunable by molecular designing. TEMPO-substituted polynorbomene was synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization. The solubility and processability of the radical polymer was tuned by cross-linking. The electron transfer process in the polymer composite electrode was examined by CV, normal pulse voltammmetry, and impedance measurement. The cell performance was also investigated.