Tunable Conducting Polymers: Toward Sustainable and Versatile Batteries

TLDR

The rapid expansion of smart electronics and implantable medical device markets has spurred the development of next‑generation sustainable, flexible, or implantable batteries, with conducting polymers—due to their unique mechanical and electronic properties—garnering significant attention. This review examines molecular‑level tuning strategies for conducting polymers to enhance electrochemical performance in lithium/sodium ion batteries, biodegradable electrodes, and solution processability, and outlines future development directions. The authors provide insights into how molecular structure influences electrochemical performance of conducting polymers.

Abstract

Rapid growth of smart electronics and implantable medical devices markets has driven the development of next-generation sustainable, flexible, or implantable batteries. Conducting polymers with unique mechanical and electronic properties offer new possibilities and have attracted great attention. In this review, we discuss approaches used to tune conducting polymers at the molecular level for designated properties and applications such as improved electrochemical performance, and we discuss approaches used to tune conducting polymers at the molecular level to enhance selected properties for applications such as lithium/sodium ion batteries, biodegradable electrodes or enhanced solution processability for advanced manufacture of such structures. We provide here insights into the molecular structure–electrochemical performance relationships. Finally, we present perspectives on the further development of conducting polymer materials for these novel batteries.