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A High Voltage Aqueous Zinc–Organic Hybrid Flow Battery
Author(s) -
Park Minjoon,
Beh Eugene S.,
Fell Eric M.,
Jing Yan,
Kerr Emily F.,
Porcellinis Diana,
Goulet MarcAntoni,
Ryu Jaechan,
Wong Andrew A.,
Gordon Roy G.,
Cho Jaephil,
Aziz Michael J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201900694
Subject(s) - flow battery , redox , electrolyte , inorganic chemistry , electrochemistry , cyclic voltammetry , hydroquinone , materials science , aqueous solution , sulfuric acid , zinc , electrocatalyst , battery (electricity) , chemical engineering , electrode , chemistry , organic chemistry , power (physics) , physics , quantum mechanics , metallurgy , engineering
Water‐soluble redox‐active organic molecules have attracted extensive attention as electrical energy storage alternatives to redox‐active metals that are low in abundance and high in cost. Here an aqueous zinc–organic hybrid redox flow battery (RFB) is reported with a positive electrolyte comprising a functionalized 1,4‐hydroquinone bearing four (dimethylamino)methyl groups dissolved in sulfuric acid. By utilizing a three‐electrolyte, two‐membrane configuration this acidic positive electrolyte is effectively paired with an alkaline negative electrolyte comprising a Zn/[Zn(OH) 4 ] 2− redox couple and a hybrid RFB is operated at a high operating voltage of 2.0 V. It is shown that the electrochemical reversibility and kinetics of the organic redox species can be enhanced by an electrocatalyst, leading to a cyclic voltammetry peak separation as low as 35 mV and enabling an enhanced rate capability.