Two new poly(fluorenylethynylene)s with ferrocene moieties PFFAL1 and PFFAL2 were designed and synthesized. Their structures, molar masses, photophysical properties and thermal characteristics were analyzed by H-1 NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The morphologies and electrochemical performances of the polymer-composed cathodes were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge-discharge test. The results showed that PFFAL1-composed electrode retained over 90% of the initial capacity after 100 cycles at 10 C and PFFAL2-based cathode exhibited a stable discharge capacity of 73 mAh g(-1) at 1 C, which is close to the theoretical value (82.3 mAh g(-1)). The stable capacity as well as the good cycle endurance of these polymer-based coin cells revealed their great potential as cathode-active materials for rechargeable lithium batteries. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.