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Comparison of Electrospun Carbon−Carbon Composite and Commercial Felt for Their Activity and Electrolyte Utilization in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
Author(s) -
Fetyan Abdulmonem,
Schneider Jonathan,
Schnucklake Maike,
ElNagar Gumaa A.,
Banerjee Rupak,
Bevilacqua Nico,
Zeis Roswitha,
Roth Christina
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201801128
Subject(s) - polyacrylonitrile , carbon black , electrolyte , materials science , flow battery , vanadium , electrospinning , composite number , carbon fibers , redox , composite material , porosity , chemical engineering , battery (electricity) , microstructure , electrode , polymer , chemistry , metallurgy , power (physics) , natural rubber , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
A low cost highly active carbon−carbon composite fiber felt was produced by electrospinning a mixture of polyacrylonitrile and carbon black powder using poly acrylic acid as a binder for high carbon black loading. The newly designed high‐surface area electrode material showed promising results for use as electrode material for both the negative and positive half‐cell of vanadium redox flow batteries. Battery test results demonstrated promising performance for the electrospun carbon fibers at current densities below 60 mA cm −2 , but were less active at higher values. The microstructure of the felt was characterized by X‐ray computed tomography to obtain the porous pathways, which facilitate electrolyte transport. The obtained results will help us to understand the role of porosity in the performance of the battery and to consequently improve the design of the carbon‐filled electrospun material.