Core-Shell Particulate Electrode Solutions for Flow Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of manufacturing porous electrodes for liquid flow batteries, along with issues of particulate settling or floating due to density mismatch with the electrolyte, hinder efficient energy storage and discharge in these batteries.
Innovation Solution
The use of core-shell particulates with a conductive metal shell and a less dense core, matched in density to the electrolyte, replaces traditional porous electrodes, enhancing dispersion stability and reducing material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional porous electrodes are used in liquid flow batteries, then energy storage and discharge capabilities are achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of porous electrodes (providing surface area for electrochemical reactions) and separates it from the complex porous structure. Instead of using actual porous electrodes, the invention uses smooth-walled channels with suspended particulate catalysts that provide the necessary reaction surface area, thereby eliminating the manufacturing complexity of porous electrode fabrication while maintaining energy storage and discharge capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a functional copy of the porous electrode's role without replicating its complex structure. The suspended particulate catalysts in the electrolyte solution perform the same electrochemical function as porous electrodes would, but through a much simpler system that uses standard smooth channels and off-the-shelf catalyst particles, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If core-shell particulates with density mismatch are used in electrolyte, then material costs are reduced, but particulate settling or floating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting the density of the core-shell particulates to match the density of the electrolyte solution. This density matching prevents settling or floating of the particulates while maintaining the cost advantages of using core-shell structures with inexpensive core materials. The shell thickness and core material composition are specifically designed to achieve the target density parameter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite core-shell particulates where the core provides cost advantages (using inexpensive materials) and the shell provides necessary functional properties (catalytic activity or electrical conductivity). The composite structure allows tuning of overall density to match the electrolyte, achieving both cost reduction and stability simultaneously
3Productivity
If homogeneous particulate distribution is maintained in electrode solution, then charge and discharge rates improve, but particulate settling or floating increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by using density-matched core-shell particulates where the buoyant force from the electrolyte counteracts the gravitational force on the particulates. This balance prevents settling or floating, maintaining homogeneous distribution throughout the electrolyte volume, which in turn ensures consistent charge and discharge rates across the entire battery volume
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution improves the charge and discharge rates of liquid flow batteries by maintaining homogeneous particulate distribution and reducing material costs, while maintaining efficient energy storage and discharge capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a core-shell particulate having a core, a shell and a density Dp, wherein at least a portion of the shell of the core-shell particulate includes an electrically conductive first metal and wherein 0.8De ≤ Dp ≤ 1.2De
Implementation Method 2
at least a portion of the shell of the core-shell particulate includes an electrically conductive first metal
Implementation Method 3
an electrolyte comprising a liquid medium and at least one redox active specie
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Electrode Solutions and Electrochemical Cells and Batteries Therefrom The present disclosure relates to liquid solutions which include particulates that can function as an electrode, thereby forming an electrode solution, useful in the fabrication of liquid flow electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries. The electrode solutions of the present disclosure may include an electrolyte comprising a liquid medium and at least one redox active specie, wherein the electrolyte has a density, De; and a core-shell particulate (202, 204) having a core, a shell and a density Dp, wherein at least a portion of the shell of the core-shell particulate includes an electrically conductive first metal and wherein 0.8De ≤ Dp ≤ 1.2De; and wherein a first redox active specie of the at least one redox active specie and the electrically conductive first metal are different elements. The present disclosure also provides electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries comprising an electrode solution according to the present disclosure.