A novel high-energy-density positive electrolyte with multiple redox couples for redox flow batteries

Maochun Wu, Mingyao Liu, Guifa Long, Kai Wan, Zhenxing Liang, Tim S. Zhao

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Low energy density resulting from the limited solubility of conventional electroactive species in electrolyte solutions has been one of the most critical barriers in the viability of redox flow batteries. Here we report a novel positive electrolyte that consists of two redox couples, viz. Fe3+/Fe2+ and Br2/Br-. It is shown that both the capacity and energy density of this positive electrolyte are, respectively, as high as 804AhL-1 and 827WhL-1. Salient findings from the electrochemical characterizations of the electrolyte are as follows: (i) the two redox couples are reversible on the graphite electrode, in particular the presence of Br- further improves the reversibility of Fe3+/Fe2+; (ii) the anodic peak current in the cyclic voltammetry increases linearly with the concentration of Fe2+ and Br-, indicating that the oxidation of these ions follows a first-order reaction; (iii) the diffusion coefficients of Br- and Fe2+ are 14.16×10-6 and 3.11×10-6cm2s-1, respectively; and (iv) the reversibility and mass transfer of the reactive species improves with an increase in temperature.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)576-581
Number of pages6
JournalApplied Energy
Volume136
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Capacity density
  • Energy density
  • Multi-redox couples
  • Positive electrolyte
  • Redox flow batteries

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • Energy(all)
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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