Issue 45, 2020

Evaluating aqueous flow battery electrolytes: a coordinated approach

Abstract

Here, we outline some basic pitfalls in the electrochemical investigation of aqueous metal complexes and advocate for the use of bulk electrolysis in redox flow cells for electrolyte analysis. We demonstrate the methods of operation and performance of a lab scale redox flow battery (RFB), which is assembled from unmodified, commercially available material and cycled with a vanadium electrolyte in order to provide a comparative baseline of expected performance. Common misconceptions about the thermodynamic window for water splitting are addressed and further express the need to develop next-generation aqueous redox flow battery electrolytes. Although non-aqueous electrolytes are a popular approach, they suffer from distinct challenges that limit energy and power density in comparison with aqueous electrolytes. Expanding the scope of aqueous electrolytes to include metal–chelate complexes allows electrolytes to be as tailorable as organic species, while maintaining robust metal-based redox processes. A flow battery assembly and operation guide is provided to help facilitate the use of flow battery testing in the evaluation of next-generation electrolytes.

Graphical abstract: Evaluating aqueous flow battery electrolytes: a coordinated approach

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
13 Jul 2020
Accepted
24 Okt 2020
First published
26 Okt 2020

Dalton Trans., 2020,49, 16047-16053

Author version available

Evaluating aqueous flow battery electrolytes: a coordinated approach

B. H. Robb, S. E. Waters and M. P. Marshak, Dalton Trans., 2020, 49, 16047 DOI: 10.1039/D0DT02462G

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