Poly(1,5-diaminoanthraquinone) is synthesized by oxidative polymerization of diaminoanthraquinone monomers and investigated as an organic host for Li-storage reaction. Benefiting from its high density of redox-active, Li+-associable benzoquinone groups attached to conducting polyaniline backbones, this polymer undergoes its cathodic reaction predominately through Li+-insertion/extraction processes, delivering a very high reversible capacity of 285 mAh g(-1). In addition, the PDAQ polymer cathode exhibits an excellent rate capability (125 mAh g(-1) at 800 mA g(-1)) and a considerable cyclability with a capacity retention of approximate to 160 mAh g(-1) over 200 cycles, possibly serving as a sustainable, high capacity Li+ host cathode for Li-ion batteries. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 235-238