@article{Wang2026, 
author = {Qianqian Wang and Hongxi Li and Xuejiao Sun and Jiahao Huang and Dongmei Li and Zhongzhen Tian},
title = {π–π stacking-regulated interfacial Zn2+/H+ co-storage in a fully conjugated organic cathode for long-life aqueous zinc-ion batteries},
year = {2026},
journal = {Nano Research},
keywords = {aqueous zinc-ion batteries, interfacial charge storage, π–π stacking, cation binding, organic cathode},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/NR.2026.94909070},
doi = {10.26599/NR.2026.94909070},
abstract = {Regulating the molecular/electrolyte interface is crucial for improving aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs), particularly for organic cathodes that often suffer from dissolution, sluggish interfacial charge transfer, and insufficient cycling stability. Herein, inspired by the C=N zinc-storage sites in phenazine-based cathodes, a fully conjugated pyrazine-linked organic cathode, DQPAT, was rationally designed to regulate molecular aggregation and cation-binding interfaces. The fully conjugated backbone integrated C=N sites and electrochemically activatable C–O groups within an extended π-conjugated framework, enabling multi-site Zn2+/H+ co-storage through reversible C=N/C–N and C=O/C–O redox couples. The extended π-conjugated framework promoted intramolecular electron delocalization, while ordered π–π stacking facilitated intermolecular charge transport and suppressed molecular dissolution at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Consequently, DQPAT delivered a high capacity of 561 mAh g-1 at 0.05 A g-1 and retained 90.3% capacity after 20,000 cycles at 10 A g-1. Notably, the electrochemically oxidized state (o-DQPAT) reached its theoretical capacity under ultralow active-material loading, confirming nearly complete utilization of a twelve-electron redox process. In situ/ex situ analyses and theoretical calculations revealed a coupled Zn2+/H+ adsorption/desorption mechanism. This work demonstrated an interface-oriented molecular design strategy for developing high-capacity and long-life organic cathodes in AZIBs.}
}