Electroless chemical aging of carbon felt electrodes for the all-vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) investigated by Electrochemical Impedance and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Unveiling the Role of Electrografted Carbon-Based Electrodes for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries

Carbon-based electrodes are used in flow batteries to provide active centers for vanadium redox reactions. However, strong controversy exists about the exact origin of these centers. This study systematically explores the influence of structural and functional groups on the vanadium redox reactions at carbon surfaces. Pyridine, phenol and butyl containing groups are attached to carbon felt electrodes. To establish a unique comparison between the model and real-world behavior, both non-activated and commercially used thermally activated felts serve as a substrate. Results reveal enhanced half-cell performance in non-activated felt with introduced hydrophilic functionalities. However, this cannot be transferred to the thermally activated felt. Beyond a decrease in electrochemical activity, a reduced long-term stability can be observed. This work indicates that thermal treatment generates active sites that surpass the effect of functional groups and are even impeded by their introduction.

Treatment of carbon electrodes with Ti3C2Tx MXene coating and thermal method for vanadium redox flow batteries: a comparative study

One of the significant challenges of vanadium redox flow batteries is connected to the negative electrode where the main reaction of V(ii)/V(iii) and the side reaction of hydrogen evolution compete. To address this issue, we used titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene coating via drop-casting to introduce oxygen functional groups and metals on the carbon electrode surface. Characterization through scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the even distribution of Ti3C2Tx MXene on the electrodes and the presence of titanium and termination groups (-O, -Cl, and -F). The cyclic voltammetry analysis of MXene-coated electrodes showed more sharp electrochemical peaks for the V(ii)/V(iii) reaction than thermal-treated electrodes, even at relatively high scan rates. Notably, a relatively high reaction rate of 5.61 × 10-4 cm s-1 was achieved for the V(ii)/V(iii) reaction on MXene-coated electrodes, which shows the competitiveness of the method compared to thermal treatment (4.17 × 10-4 cm s-1). The flow battery tests, at a current density of 130 mA cm-2, using MXene-coated electrodes showed pretty stable discharge capacity for over 100 cycles. In addition, the voltage and energy efficiency were significantly higher than those of the system using untreated electrodes. Overall, this work highlights the potential application of MXene coating in carbon electrode treatment for vanadium redox flow batteries due to remarkable electrocatalytic activity and battery performance, providing a competitive method for thermal treatment.

Coupled Experimental-Theoretical Characterization of a Carbon Electrode in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries using X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy

Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) have emerged as promising solutions for stationary grid energy storage due to their high efficiency, scalability, safety, near room-temperature operation conditions, and the ability to independently size power and energy capacities. The performance of VRFBs heavily relies on the redox couple reactions of V2+/V3+ and VO2+/VO2+ on carbon electrodes. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the surface functionality of carbon electrodes and their propensity for degradation during electrochemical cycles is crucial for designing VRFBs with extended lifespans. In this study, we present a coupled experimental-theoretical approach based on carbon K edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to characterize carbon electrodes prepared under different conditions and identify relevant functional groups that contribute to unique spectroscopic features. Atomic models were created to represent functional groups, such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, methyl, and aldehyde, bonded to carbon atoms in either sp2 or sp3 environments. The interactions between functionalized carbon and various solvated vanadium complexes were modeled using density functional theory. A library of carbon K-edge XAS spectra was generated for distinct carbon atoms in different functional groups, both before and after interacting with solvated vanadium complexes. We demonstrate how these simulated spectra can be used to deconvolve ex situ experimental spectra measured from carbon electrodes and to track changes in the electrode composition following immersion in different electrolytes or extended cycling within a functional VRFB. By doing so, we identify the active species present on the carbon electrodes, which play a crucial role in determining their electrochemical performance.

Systematic Characterization of Degraded Anion Exchange Membranes Retrieved from Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Field Tests

Commercially available anion exchange membranes were retrieved from VRFB field tests and their degradation due to the various operation conditions is analyzed by in-situ and ex-situ measurements. Ion exchange capacity, permeability and swelling power are used as direct criteria for irreversible changes. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses are used as fingerprint methods and provide information about the morphology and change of the structural properties. A decrease in crystallinity can be detected due to membrane degradation, and, in addition, an indication of reduced polymer chain length is found. While the proton diffusion either increase or decline significantly, the ion exchange capacity and swelling power both are reduced. The observed extent of changes was in good agreement with in-situ measurements in a test cell, where the coulombic and voltage efficiencies are reduced compared to a pristine reference material due to the degradation process.

Evaluation of Electrochemical Stability of Sulfonated Anthraquinone-Based Acidic Electrolyte for Redox Flow Battery Application

Despite intense research in the field of aqueous organic redox flow batteries, low molecular stability of electroactive compounds limits further commercialization. Additionally, currently used methods typically cannot differentiate between individual capacity fade mechanisms, such as degradation of electroactive compound and its cross-over through the membrane. We present a more complex method for in situ evaluation of (electro)chemical stability of electrolytes using a flow electrolyser and a double half-cell including permeation measurements of electrolyte cross-over through a membrane by a UV–VIS spectrometer. The method is employed to study (electro)chemical stability of acidic negolyte based on an anthraquinone sulfonation mixture containing mainly 2,6- and 2,7-anthraquinone disulfonic acid isomers, which can be directly used as an RFB negolyte. The effect of electrolyte state of charge (SoC), current load and operating temperature on electrolyte stability is tested. The results show enhanced capacity decay for fully charged electrolyte (0.9 and 2.45% per day at 20 °C and 40 °C, respectively) while very good stability is observed at 50% SoC and lower, even at 40 °C and under current load (0.02% per day). HPLC analysis conformed deep degradation of AQ derivatives connected with the loss of aromaticity. The developed method can be adopted for stability evaluation of electrolytes of various organic and inorganic RFB chemistries.

Modeling the Effect of Channel Tapering on the Pressure Drop and Flow Distribution Characteristics of Interdigitated Flow Fields in Redox Flow Batteries

Optimization of flow fields in redox flow batteries can increase performance and efficiency, while reducing cost. Therefore, there is a need to establish a fundamental understanding on the connection between flow fields, electrolyte flow management and electrode properties. In this work, the flow distribution and pressure drop characteristics of interdigitated flow fields with constant and tapered cross-sections are examined numerically and experimentally. Two simplified 2D along-the-channel models are used: (1) a CFD model, which includes the channels and the porous electrode, with Darcy’s viscous resistance as a momentum sink term in the latter; and (2) a semi-analytical model, which uses Darcy’s law to describe the 2D flow in the electrode and lubrication theory to describe the 1D Poiseuille flow in the channels, with the 2D and 1D sub-models coupled at the channel/electrode interfaces. The predictions of the models are compared between them and with experimental data. The results show that the most influential parameter is γ , defined as the ratio between the pressure drop along the channel due to viscous stresses and the pressure drop across the electrode due to Darcy’s viscous resistance. The effect of R e in the channel depends on the order of magnitude of γ , being negligible in conventional cells with slender channels that use electrodes with permeabilities in the order of 10 − 12 m 2 and that are operated with moderate flow rates. Under these conditions, tapered channels can enhance mass transport and facilitate the removal of bubbles (from secondary reactions) because of the higher velocities achieved in the channel, while being pumping losses similar to those of constant cross-section flow fields. This agrees with experimental data measured in a single cell operated with aqueous vanadium-based electrolytes.

Graphene quantum dot-decorated carbon electrodes for energy storage in vanadium redox flow batteries

Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) quantum dots are synthesized via a solid-phase microwave-assisted (SPMA) technique. The resulting GQDs are deposited on graphite felt (GF) and are employed as high-performance electrodes for all-vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). The SPMA method is capable of synthesizing highly oxidized and amidized GQDs using citric acid and urea as the precursor. The as-prepared GQDs contain an ultrahigh O/C (56-61%) and N/C (34-66%) atomic ratio, much higher than the values reported for other carbon-based nano-materials (e.g. oxidized activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, and graphene oxide). Three types of quantum dots, having an average particle size of 2.8-4.2 nm, are homogeneously dispersed onto GF electrodes, forming GQD/GF composite electrodes. Through deposition of GQDs onto the electrode structure, the catalytic activity, equivalent series resistance, durability, and voltage efficiency are improved. The capacity utilization using GQD/GF electrode is substantially enhanced (∼69% increase within 40 cycles). The improved performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of GQDs containing oxygen functionalities (epoxy, phenolic and carboxylic groups) and lattice N atoms (quaternary, pyrrolic and pyridinic N) which result in enhanced wettability and increased electrochemical surface area providing increased reaction sites.

Tuning the performance of vanadium redox flow batteries by modifying the structural defects of the carbon felt electrode

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon felt was subjected to N₂-plasma treatment to increase the heteroatom defects and reactive edge sites as a method to increase the performance in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). N-doping in the felt was mainly in the form of pyrrolic and pyridinic nitrogen. Even though the amount of oxygen functional groups on the N₂-plasma-treated sample was very low, the felt showed enhanced electrochemical performance for both V³⁺/V²⁺ as well as V⁵⁺/V⁴⁺ redox reactions. The result is highly significant as the pristine electrode with the same amount of oxygen functional groups showed significantly less activity for the V³⁺/V²⁺ redox reaction. Overall, the single-flow cell experiments with N₂-plasma-treated felt showed superior performance compared to the pristine sample. Therefore, the enhanced performance observed for the N₂-plasma-treated sample should be attributed to the increase in defects and edge sites. Thus, from the present study, it can be concluded that an alternate way to increase the performance of the VRFBs is to introduce specific defects such as N-doping/substitution or to increase the edge sites. In other words, defects induced in the carbon felt such as heteroatom doping are as beneficial as the presence of oxygen functional groups for the improved performance of VRFBs. Therefore, for an optimum performance of VRFBs, defects such as N-substitution as well as oxygen functionality should be tuned.

Platinum Nanostructure Tailoring for Fuel Cell Applications Using Levitated Water Droplets as Green Chemical Reactors

Tailoring of nanostructured materials with well-controlled morphologies and their integration into valuable applications in a facile, cheap, and green way remain a key challenge. Herein, platinum nanoparticles as well as Pt-polymer nanocomposites with unique shapes, including flower-, needle-, porous-, and worm-like structures, were synthesized and simultaneously deposited on a three-dimensional carbon substrate and carbon nanofibers in one step using a levitated, overheated water drop as a green, rotating chemical reactor. Sprinkling of a metal aqueous solution on a hot surface results in its sudden evaporation and creates an overheated zone along with the water self-ionization (i.e., charge separation) at the hot interface. These generated Leidenfrost conditions are believed to induce a series of chemical reactions involving the used solvent and counterions, resulting in the nanoparticles formation. Besides, the in situ generated basic conditions in the vicinity of the liquid-vapor interface due to the loss of hydronium ions into the vapor layer could also play a role in the mechanism of the nanoparticles formation, e.g., by discharging. The as-prepared Pt nanostructures exhibited a superior catalytic activity and stability toward the desired direct formic acid oxidation (essential anodic reaction in fuel cells) into CO₂ without generating CO poisoning intermediates compared to the state-of-the-art commercial PtC electrode. The addressed nanotailoring technique is believed to be a promising, inexpensive, and scalable way for the sustainable manufacture of well-designed nanomaterials for future applications.

Degradation Phenomena of Bismuth-Modified Felt Electrodes in VRFB Studied by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

The performance of all-V redox flow batteries (VRFB) will decrease when they are exposed to dynamic electrochemical cycling, but also when they are in prolonged contact with the acidic electrolyte. These phenomena are especially severe at the negative side, where the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) will be increasingly favored over the reduction of V(III) with ongoing degradation of the carbon felt electrode. Bismuth, either added to the electrolyte or deposited onto the felt, has been reported to suppress the HER and therefore to enhance the kinetics of the V(II)/V(III) redox reaction. This study is the first to investigate degradation effects on bismuth-modified electrodes in the negative half-cell of a VRFB. By means of a simple impregnation method, a commercially available carbon felt was decorated with Bi 2 O 3 , which is supposedly present as Bi(0) under the working conditions at the negative side. Modified and unmodified felts were characterized electrochemically using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a three-electrode setup. Surface morphology of the electrodes and composition of the negative half-cell electrolyte were probed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF), respectively. This was done before and after the electrodes were subjected to 50 charge-discharge cycles in a battery test bench. Our results suggest that not only the bismuth catalyst is dissolved from the electrode during battery operation, but also that the presence of bismuth in the system has a strong accelerating effect on electrode degradation.

Asymmetric vanadium flow batteries: long lifespan via an anolyte overhang strategy

Fast capacity decay is a serious problem in vanadium flow batteries (VFBs). How to eliminate or slow down capacity fading has become a critical issue for the practical application of VFBs. Herein, the concept of an asymmetric vanadium flow battery (aVFB) is introduced, in which the asymmetric design of a catholyte and an anolyte is used to suppress the capacity decay of the VFB. Based on the comprehensive analysis of the capacity decay and electrolyte imbalance process of the traditional symmetric VFB, it was found that the capacity fading is mainly owing to the loss of the anolyte in the long-term cycling test. Therefore, this work attempts to use excess anolyte (i.e. 10%, 20% and 30%) to mitigate the capacity decay during the long-term operation of the VFB. To gain deeper insights into the capacity retention mechanism of these novel anolyte overhang aVFBs, long-term cycle performance of the corresponding symmetric overhang VFBs and catholyte overhang aVFBs is investigated for comparison. The optimal excess ratio of anolyte and how to add the excess anolyte are also suggested for future study.