Session: General Catalysis:

Continuous energy demand can be satisfied with intermittent renewable energy sources by integrating storage technologies into the power grid. Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are promising devices for harnessing electrical energy from renewables like photovoltaics and wind turbines and distributing it through the power grid. Widespread implementation of current-generation RFBs can be achieved by increasing their energy efficiency, which is hindered by slow interfacial electron transfer kinetics between electrolytes and carbon electrodes. However, prior work found by our lab and others has shown that common electroanalytical tools such as rotating disk electrodes (RDE) do not adequately decipher electron transfer kinetics at high, battery relevant electrolyte concentrations.

To elucidate electron transfer kinetics under technologically relevant RFB conditions, a 3-D printed flow -platform was designed. The flow platform better approximates the hydrodynamic RFB conditions of RFBs and employs flat electrode geometries. TheAs such, flat carbon electrodes are being developed by subjecting polyacrylonitrile (PAN) to thermal treatments; a process called carbonization. Carbonized PAN is particularly attractive for its chemical resemblance to the non-graphitic carbon fibers used in practical systems. The planar geometry of the electrodes also lends to the use of X-ray and microscopy methods for detailed materials characterization that will improve our understanding of electron transfer mechanisms on the carbon surface. Our flow platform is translatable to a wide variety of electrode/electrolyte combinations, enabling the testing of a wide range of materials for RFB advancement. The electroanalytical system is currently being integrated into a working RFB loop to measure kinetics of RFB electrolytes while the battery is under operation. Thus, our flow platform has great potential to both monitor battery performance in real time and identify electrode/electrolyte pairs with fast kinetics to advance RFBs.

Tejal Sawant

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