Progress in redox flow batteries, remaining challenges and their applications in energy storage

Leung, Puiki; Li, Xiaohong; León, Carlos Ponce de; Berlouis, L.E.A.; Low, Chee Tong John; Walsh, Frank C.

doi:10.1039/c2ra21342g

Cited by 815 publications

(592 citation statements)

References 238 publications

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“…In addition, the solid-sulphur flow cathode exhibits similar power capability compared with other nonaqueous semi-solid flow chemistries 13,24 , but significantly lower power output compared with the aqueous all-vanadium flow batteries 3,5,26 . The hybrid configuration used in our study limits the scalability of the negative electrode 17 , which can be improved by replacing the lithium metal with semi-solid negative flow catholytes such as the semi-solid silicon anolyte 27 . Our concept of impregnating insulating solid active materials with a conductive carbon network offers a promising direction to further increase the energy density and cycling reversibility of RFBs and semi-solid flow batteries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This unique concept creates high cell voltage between the aqueous cathode and the most electronegative alkaline metal. However, the hybrid configuration using lithium metal limits the scalability of energy and power of the lithium-negative electrode 17 , which can be achieved in an all-vanadium flow battery. The authors demonstrated a lithium-ferricyanide flow battery that operates at B3.40 V with a coulombic efficiency 497%.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Sulphur-impregnated flow cathode to enable high-energy-density lithium flow batteries

et al. 2015

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Redox flow batteries are promising technologies for large-scale electricity storage, but have been suffering from low energy density and low volumetric capacity. Here we report a flow cathode that exploits highly concentrated sulphur-impregnated carbon composite, to achieve a catholyte volumetric capacity 294 Ah l À 1 with long cycle life (4100 cycles), high columbic efficiency (490%, 100 cycles) and high energy efficiency (480%, 100 cycles). The demonstrated catholyte volumetric capacity is five times higher than the all-vanadium flow batteries (60 Ah l À 1 ) and 3-6 times higher than the demonstrated lithium-polysulphide approaches (50-117 Ah l À 1 ). Pseudo-in situ impedance and microscopy characterizations reveal superior electrochemical and morphological reversibility of the sulphur redox reactions. Our approach of exploiting sulphur-impregnated carbon composite in the flow cathode creates effective interfaces between the insulating sulphur and conductive carbon-percolating network and offers a promising direction to develop high-energy-density flow batteries.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Sulphur-impregnated flow cathode to enable high-energy-density lithium flow batteries

et al. 2015

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“…Redox flow batteries (RFBs) have become one of the more promising options for gridscale energy storage [101]. The inert, large surface area electrically conductive support offered to electrocatalysts by RVC led to them being considered as a suitable carbon material in several studies [102], particularly in the case of the soluble lead RFB, but also for the zinc-bromine and vanadium systems.…”

Section: Redox Flow Batteriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The continued development of reticulated vitreous carbon as a versatile electrode material: Structure, properties and applications

Walsh

Arenas

León

et al. 2016

Electrochimica Acta

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The limitations of 2-dimensional electrodes can be overcome by using threedimensional materials having sufficient porosity and active area while offering moderate mass transport rates and a relatively low pressure drop at controlled electrolyte flow rate. In concept, a wide variety of metal, ceramic and composite materials are possible but restrictions are imposed by the need to avoid materials degradation, while maintaining adequate electrical conductivity, sufficient robustness and the possibility of facile scale-up. Despite its fragility, one of the traditional electrode materials used as a porous, 3-dimensional electrode is carbon foam, particularly in the 97% vol. porous form of reticulated vitreous carbon, RVC. A timeline indicates that the history of this material dates back over 50 years to the mid1960s, when it was primarily used as an uncoated material in small-scale, laboratory electroanalysis. Surface modification and diverse coatings have considerably extended the use of RVC. Recent applications are found in sensors and monitors, electrosynthesis, environmental processing and energy conversion. This review highlights the fundamental structure and summarises the physicochemical properties of RVC. Fluid flow through various porosity grades of the material, their active electrochemical area and rates of mass transport are quantified. The diverse applications of RVC in energy conversion, environmental treatment and electrosynthesis are illustrated by selected examples from the authors' laboratories and others over the last 30 years. Recent research on coated RVC, energy conversion environmental remediation and sensors is highlighted. Critical areas deserving further research and development are proposed.

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“…[8][9][10][11] Since their advent in the 1970s, 12 numerous aqueous redox chemistries have been developed but none has experienced widespread commercial success. The use of nonaqueous electrolytes in flow batteries is a nascent, yet burgeoning, concept.…”

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confidence: 99%

An Investigation of the Ionic Conductivity and Species Crossover of Lithiated Nafion 117 in Nonaqueous Electrolytes

Darling

Gallagher

et al. 2015

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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Nonaqueous redox flow batteries are a fast-growing area of research and development motivated by the need to develop lowcost energy storage systems. The identification of a highly conductive, yet selective membrane, is of paramount importance to enabling such a technology. Herein, we report the swelling behavior, ionic conductivity, and species crossover of lithiated Nafion 117 membranes immersed in three nonaqueous electrolytes (PC, PC : EC, and DMSO). Our results show that solvent volume fraction within the membrane has the greatest effect on both conductivity and crossover. An approximate linear relationship between diffusive crossover of neutral redox species (ferrocene) and the ionic conductivity of membrane was observed. As a secondary effect, the charge on redox species modifies crossover rates in accordance with Donnan exclusion. The selectivity of membrane is derived mathematically and compared to experimental results reported here. The relatively low selectivity for lithiated Nafion 117 in nonaqueous conditions suggests that new membranes are required for competitive nonaqueous redox flow batteries to be realized. Large scale energy storage for the electricity grid is widely considered to be necessary for enabling the use of intermittent renewables as primary power sources, for stabilizing power delivery in developing economies, and for facilitating a range of high-value grid services aimed at improving efficiency and lifetime.1 To date, broad market penetration of energy storage systems has been hindered primarily by high installation and operation costs, resulting in only ∼2.5% of the total electricity production in the US relying on grid energy storage predominantly in the form of pumped hydro-electric.2 However, the rapid and sustained growth of renewable electricity generation (e.g., solar photovoltaic, wind) continues to drive the need for advanced low cost energy storage.3-5 While certain energy storage technologies, such as lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, are currently at a price point to fulfill niche markets, 6 present electrical energy storage technologies, in general, are still not economically viable for wide-scale deployment, spurring research and development efforts worldwide. 7Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are electrochemical systems wellsuited for multi-hour energy storage and offer several key advantages over enclosed batteries (e.g., Li-ion, Lead-acid) including independent scaling of power and energy, long service life, improved safety, and simplified manufacturing. [8][9][10][11] Since their advent in the 1970s, 12 numerous aqueous redox chemistries have been developed but none has experienced widespread commercial success. The use of nonaqueous electrolytes in flow batteries is a nascent, yet burgeoning, concept.Transitioning from aqueous to nonaqueous electrolytes offers an extended window of electrochemical stability (> 3 V) and an enriched selection of redox materials due to the broader design space. However, this approach is not without technical hurdles such as the identificati...

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Progress in redox flow batteries, remaining challenges and their applications in energy storage

Cited by 815 publications

References 238 publications

Sulphur-impregnated flow cathode to enable high-energy-density lithium flow batteries

Sulphur-impregnated flow cathode to enable high-energy-density lithium flow batteries

The continued development of reticulated vitreous carbon as a versatile electrode material: Structure, properties and applications

An Investigation of the Ionic Conductivity and Species Crossover of Lithiated Nafion 117 in Nonaqueous Electrolytes

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