Structural engineering on indole derivative for rechargeable organic lithium-ion battery

In the present work, the indole derivative, namely, 3,3′,3″-methane-triyl-tris-1H-indol (tris-Ind), is synthesized and characterized as an organic electrode material in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (RLIB). The structural characterization of the synthesized molecule is carried out using physicochemical techniques. The ball milling method is used for the lithiation process to form electroactive lithiated tris-Ind (Li-tris-Ind). The electrochemical activity of Li-tris-Ind is measured in aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytic media, and the results are compared. The aqueous cell system delivers an average cell potential of 0.76 V with a discharge capacity of 189 mAhg⁻¹, whereas the non-aqueous cell system delivers an average potential of 1 V with 506 mAhg⁻¹. The potentiostatic electrochemical impedance spectroscopic studies reveal the kinetics of finite diffusion. The organic electrode shows good cyclic stability and reproducibility in both systems, making it a significant practical material for RLIB applications.