China's new 250 Wh/kg organic battery can survive extreme temperatures

Researchers from Tianjin University and South China University of Technology have developed a new flexible organic battery based on a conductive polymer called Poly (benzofuran dione) (PBFDO). Unlike traditional organic batteries that suffer from poor conductivity and low energy density due to cathode dissolution, this n-type conductive polymer naturally conducts electrons, enhancing structural stability and ion transport. The resulting battery boasts an energy density of approximately 250 Wh/kg, comparable to commercial lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, and significantly higher than typical lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. In addition to its high energy density, the battery demonstrates an exceptional operating temperature range from -70°C to 80°C, far surpassing conventional lithium batteries that degrade below -20°C or above 50°C. The battery is also mechanically flexible, able to withstand bending, compression, and puncture without catching fire or exploding, due to its non-oxygen-releasing chemistry which reduces the risk of thermal runaway. This combination of safety, flexibility