Metallocene Viologen Redox Flow Battery Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional redox flow batteries face challenges such as expensive and resource-limited redox active materials, corrosive and hazardous electrolytes, and low current performance, leading to high system costs and limited commercial potential.

Innovation Solution

The development of aqueous organic redox flow batteries utilizing metallocene- and viologen-based redox active materials, which are highly soluble in aqueous solutions and demonstrate advantageous electrochemical properties, enabling efficient energy storage with sustainable and non-corrosive electrolytes based on earth-abundant elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional redox active materials are used in redox flow batteries, then the battery can store energy, but the materials are expensive and resource limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of redox active materialsVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing traditional metal-based redox materials (like vanadium) with organic compounds (metallocenes and viologens). This substitution maintains the electrochemical functionality while using abundant, inexpensive carbon-based materials, directly addressing the cost and availability contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs inexpensive organic redox materials that can be readily synthesized from abundant precursors. These organic compounds serve as replaceable, cost-effective alternatives to expensive metal-based materials, enabling scalable energy storage without resource constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If traditional electrolytes are used in redox flow batteries, then the battery can operate, but the electrolytes are corrosive and hazardous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidcorrosiveness and hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the electrolyte composition from traditional corrosive acids or bases to neutral aqueous solutions containing organic redox materials. This parameter change eliminates corrosiveness while maintaining electrochemical activity, solving the contradiction between operational stability and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of using simple aqueous solutions (which might be expected to have poor electrochemical performance) into a benefit by carefully selecting organic compounds that provide both safety and high electrochemical activity. The neutral pH becomes an advantage rather than a limitation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If traditional redox flow battery systems are implemented, then energy storage is achieved, but the current performance is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidcurrent performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite molecular structures combining metallocene frameworks with viologen moieties, creating molecules that exhibit enhanced electrochemical properties. These composite structures provide multiple redox centers per molecule, increasing both current density and capacity simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The organic redox materials are designed to perform multiple functions: they serve as both the active redox species and the electrolyte medium, eliminate the need for separate corrosive electrolyte formulations, and provide tunable electrochemical properties through molecular design, thereby improving overall system performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The use of metallocene- and viologen-based materials in redox flow batteries enhances electrochemical performance, achieving high energy density, capacity retention, and cost-effectiveness, potentially meeting the $100/kWh system capital cost target projected by the US Department of Energy, while providing an environmentally friendly and economically viable renewable energy solution.

Implementation Method 1

An aqueous solution containing a metal ion having a valence which changes by oxidation-reduction is representatively used as the electrolytes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation-reduction: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS10934258B2Materials for use in an aqueous organic redox flow battery

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Described herein are aqueous organic redox flow batteries that include a first redox active material that can include a metallocene or a salt thereof, and a second redox active material that can include a viologen or a salt thereof. The aqueous organic redox flow batteries may further include a first aqueous electrolyte, a second aqueous electrolyte, and a separator between the first and second aqueous electrolytes. In addition, disclosed herein are methods of making the metallocene and viologen compounds.