Polyacetylene and Polyphenylene as Anode Materials for Nonaqueous Secondary Batteries

The conjugated polymers polyacetylene (PA) and poly(p‐phenylene) (PPP) have been examined for their possible use as negative electrode materials in nonaqueous secondary batteries. Cathodically stable electrolytes have been identified which allow high reduction levels for these polymers, and charge‐storage capacities of 0.34 Ah/g for PA and 0.15 Ah/g for PPP have been demonstrated. Structural evolution of these polymers during cation insertion and extraction has been shown to have a significant influence on their electrochemical behavior. Several new stoichiometric phases have been identified.