Advanced organic electrode materials for aqueous rechargeable batteries

Organic electrode materials take advantages of potentially sustainable production and structural tunability compared with present commercial inorganic electrode materials. However, their applications in traditional rechargeable batteries with nonaqueous electrolytes suffer from the premature failure and safety concerns. In comparison, aqueous rechargeable batteries based on organic electrode materials have received extensive attentions in recent years for low-cost and sustainable energy storage systems due to their inherent safety. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary on the recent progress in advanced organic electrode materials for aqueous rechargeable batteries. We start from the overview of working principles and general design strategies of organic electrode materials in aqueous rechargeable batteries. Then the research advances of organic electrode materials in various aqueous rechargeable batteries are highlighted in terms of charge carriers (monovalent ions, multivalent ions, and anions). We emphasized the characteristics of organic electrode materials in various charge carriers. Finally, the critical challenges and future efforts of aqueous organic rechargeable batteries are discussed. More organic electrode materials with better electronic conductivity and fast reaction kinetics are still needed to build advanced aqueous batteries for commercial applications.