Geometric Preorganization Enables Entropy‐Constrained Proton Migration for Ultrafast and Stable Aqueous Proton Batteries

H He Liu (Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital) J Jun Yang C Chao Yan R Renwei Jing (School of Materials Science and Engineering Jiangsu University of Science and Technology Zhenjiang 212003 P.R. China) J Jia‐Lin Yang (State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics MOE Key Laboratory for UV Light‐Emitting Materials and Technology Northeast Normal University Changchun Jilin China) C Congcong Ni (School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 P.R. China) M Minjie Shi (School of Materials Science and Engineering Jiangsu University of Science and Technology Zhenjiang P. R. China) J Jin‐Zhi Guo (State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, and MOE Key Laboratory for UV Light‐Emitting Materials and Technology, Department of Physics Northeast Normal University Changchun China) J Jingxin Zhao X Xing‐Long Wu (MOE Key Laboratory For UV Light‐Emitting Materials and Technology Northeast Normal University Changchun Jilin P. R. China)

Abstract

Abstract The development of aqueous proton batteries (APBs) is hindered by the scarcity of electrode materials capable of regulating proton migration. Although organic electrodes are promising candidates, they often suffer from Coulombic repulsion and entropy‐induced disorder, leading to performance degradation. Herein, we propose a molecular‐engineering strategy based on geometric preorganization to construct low‐entropy proton transport pathways by designing a C 3 ‐symmetric triangular molecule, 1, 3, 5‐tris (2, 6‐dioxo‐1, 2, 5, 6‐tetrahydro‐3, 4‐dihydropyrazinyl) benzene (DBH). Its rigid trigonal scaffold preorganizes C═N and C═O redox centers, enabling symmetric charge distribution to mitigate repulsion. Moreover, geometric confinement reduces configurational disorder and restricts accessible microstates, directing proton migration along defined pathways while preserving electronic delocalization. As a result, the DBH electrode delivers high and ultrafast proton‐storage capacity, reaching 277.9 mAh g −1 at 1 A g −1 and retaining 207.8 mAh g −1 even at 100 A g −1 . When assembled into a full cell, the device achieves 100% capacity retention after 30 000 cycles, along with an energy density of 111.97 Wh kg −1 and a power density of 40 441.2 W kg −1 . These results demonstrate that triangular preorganization combined with entropy regulation enables organic electrodes to exhibit high proton‐storage capacity, rapid kinetics, and exceptional long‐term stability.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 65, Issue 8
Published February 16, 2026
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

H

He Liu

Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital

J

Jun Yang

C

Chao Yan

R

Renwei Jing

School of Materials Science and Engineering Jiangsu University of Science and Technology Zhenjiang 212003 P.R. China

J

Jia‐Lin Yang

State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics MOE Key Laboratory for UV Light‐Emitting Materials and Technology Northeast Normal University Changchun Jilin China

C

Congcong Ni

School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering Shanghai University Shanghai 200444 P.R. China

M

Minjie Shi

School of Materials Science and Engineering Jiangsu University of Science and Technology Zhenjiang P. R. China

J

Jin‐Zhi Guo

State Key Laboratory of Integrated Optoelectronics, and MOE Key Laboratory for UV Light‐Emitting Materials and Technology, Department of Physics Northeast Normal University Changchun China

J

Jingxin Zhao

X

Xing‐Long Wu

MOE Key Laboratory For UV Light‐Emitting Materials and Technology Northeast Normal University Changchun Jilin P. R. China