This study presents the synthesis of an anthraquinone oligomer linked by amide bonds that demonstrate a long cycle battery performance. Oligomers connected by amide bonds undergo hydrolysis, rendering them easily biodegradable. The concept provides a guideline for a future material design of sustainable batteries.

With the increasing demand for energy, the requirements for energy storage systems have also increased. For example, rechargeable lithium batteries, which are the primary power sources for mobile devices, must have a high energy density and be environmentally friendly. Herein, organic compounds linked by amide bonds that underwent chemical hydrolysis or biodegradation as sustainable battery materials are investigated. In particular, an amide-bonded anthraquinone oligomer is synthesized, and its potential as a cathode-active material is examined. The anthraquinone monomer, with a theoretical capacity of 258 mAh g⁻¹, exhibits rapid capacity decay during the cycle test; however, the synthesized oligomer, with a theoretical capacity of 144 mAh g⁻¹, exhibits excellent cycle-life performance. For example, it retains ≈82% of its initial capacity after 200 cycles. This electrochemical improvement is attributed to the decreased solubility in the electrolyte solution due to oligomerization. This study contributes to the development of long cycle-life organic batteries with environmental benefits.