Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been demonstrated as one of the most promising energy storage devices for applications in electric vehicles, smart grids, large-scale energy storage systems, and portable electronics.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are one of the most compelling alternatives of lithium-ion batteries due to their inherent safety and economics viability. In response to the growing demand for green and sustainable energy storage solutions, organic electrodes with the scalability from inexpensive starting materials and potential for biodegradation after use have become a prominent choice for AZIBs. Despite gratifying progresses of organic molecules with electrochemical performance in AZIBs, the research is still in infancy and hampered by certain issues due to the underlying complex electrochemistry. Strategies for designing organic electrode materials for AZIBs with high specific capacity and long cycling life are discussed in detail in this review. Specifically, we put emphasis on the unique electrochemistry of different redox-active structures to provide in-depth understanding of their working mechanisms. In addition, we highlight the importance of molecular size/dimension regarding their profound impact on electrochemical performances. Finally, challenges and perspectives are discussed from the developing point of view for future AZIBs. We hope to provide a valuable evaluation on organic electrode materials for AZIBs in our context and give inspiration for the rational design of high-performance AZIBs.

With the gradual exposure of energy problems and environmental pollution in modern society, electrochromic energy storage devices with the integration of smart windows and energy storage have become research hot spots in recent years. The multifunctional devices can be used as energy storage devices, and can also monitor the energy status in situ according to the color change. In this review, we introduce the working principle, device structure, and the possibility of the multi-functional combination of electrochromic energy storage devices. We also discuss, in detail, the candidate materials for electrochromic capacitors and electrochromic batteries in terms of design, synthesis, and application. Finally, we provide our own opinion on the development of the next generation multi-functional energy storage devices.

Rationally designed organic redox‐active materials have attracted numerous interests due to their excellent electrochemical performance and reasonable sustainability. However, they often suffer from poor cycling stability, intrinsic low operating potential, and poor rate performance. Herein, a novel Donor–Acceptor (D–A) bipolar polymer with n ‐type pyrene‐4,5,9,10‐tetraone unit storing Li cations and p ‐type carbazole unit which attracts anions and provides polymerization sites is employed as a cathode for lithium‐ion batteries through in situ electropolymerization. The multiple redox reactions and boosted kinetics by the D–A structure lead to excellent electrochemical performance of a high discharge capacity of 202 mA h g ⁻¹ at 200 mA g ⁻¹ , impressive working potential (2.87 and 4.15 V), an outstanding rate capability of 119 mA h g ⁻¹ at 10 A g ⁻¹ and a noteworthy energy density up to 554 Wh kg ⁻¹ . This strategy has significant implications for the molecule design of bipolar organic cathode for high cycling stability and high energy density.