Poly(hydroquinoyl-benzoquinonyl sulfide) as an active material in Mg and Li organic batteries

•Novel solvothermal synthesis of redox active organic polymer from simple precursors•Electrochemical activity of organic polymer is assessed in Li and Mg battery system.•Mg organic battery with an average voltage of 2.0 V vs Mg/Mg2 +.

Herein a novel solvothermal synthesis approach for preparing poly(hydrobenzoquinonyl-benzoquinonyl sulfide) polymer (PHBQS) using sulfur and hydroquinone is presented. We investigate and compare electrochemical activity of this polymer as a cathode in Li and Mg battery systems. In the Li system we retain more than 160 mAh/g after 340 cycles, while in the Mg system a discharge voltage of approximately 2.0 V vs. Mg is achieved. This represents a significant increase in working voltage of Mg organic battery over majority of previously reported Mg organic batteries. The maximum specific capacity of 158 mAh/g is achieved in MgCl2-Mg(TFSI)2 tetraglyme:1,3-dioxolane electrolyte.

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