Nanometric Conductive Flow Battery Electrodes for Higher Current Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow batteries face limitations in achieving optimal sizing for specific applications, such as the use of carbon nanowalls on a gold electrode does not significantly increase the kinetics of redox reactions and are economically unfavorable.
Innovation Solution
An electrode with a mesoporous structure composed of nanometric particles of electrically conductive material is used to increase the number of active sites and electrode area, promoting electrocatalysis and reducing overpotential, thereby enhancing redox reaction kinetics and current density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If carbon nanowalls are created on a gold electrode to increase reaction surface area, then the electrode becomes more compact, but the kinetics of redox reactions on the electrode surface does not increase significantly and the cost increases due to gold requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous carbon materials with controlled pore sizes (microporous <2nm, mesoporous 2-50nm, macroporous >50nm) to create a three-dimensional electrode structure that increases surface area and active sites for redox reactions. The porous structure allows electrolyte penetration while maintaining electrode compactness, achieving both improved power density and cost-effectiveness by using carbon instead of gold
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite electrode structures combining carbon materials with different pore size distributions and conductive additives to optimize both electrical conductivity and reaction surface area. The composite approach allows tailoring the electrode properties to achieve high specific power while maintaining economic viability
2Power
If the electrode area is increased to increase current produced per projected surface unit, then the redox reaction kinetics improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional flat electrodes to three-dimensional porous electrode structures, utilizing the third dimension (depth/pore structure) to increase effective surface area. This dimensional change allows significant increases in active surface area without proportionally increasing the projected footprint or overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested porous structures where micropores are contained within mesopores, which are in turn contained within macropores, creating a hierarchical pore network. This nested architecture maximizes surface area within a compact volume while maintaining straightforward electrode fabrication processes
3Productivity
If nanometric particles of electrically conductive material are used to create mesoporous structure, then the number of active sites and electrode area increase, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes self-assembly processes where nanometric carbon particles automatically organize into porous structures through controlled aggregation and sintering. The particles' inherent properties drive the formation of the desired mesoporous architecture without requiring complex external manufacturing interventions, thereby maintaining ease of production while achieving high productivity
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 electrode increases the power density by three times and reduces overpotential, allowing high-intensity current handling and minimizing hydrogen and oxygen formation, thus improving battery performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
increasing the kinetics of the redox reactions in a flow of said electrolytic solution and/or the number of active sites per surface unit
Implementation Method 2
producing an electrocatalysis phenomenon in an electrolyte flowing through the electrode according to the invention
Implementation Method 3
The porosity of said first portion is such as to allow the diffusion therein of a flow of electrolytic solution
Implementation Method 4
increasing the current produced per projected surface unit of the electrode... advantageously producing an electrocatalysis phenomenon... increasing the quantity per time unit of redox reactions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrode (1) for a flow battery (B) and a method for producing said electrode (1), wherein said electrode (1) comprises a first portion (12) consisting of particles (11) of electrically conductive material having nanometric dimensions, wherein said first portion (12) is mesoporous and its porosity is such as to increase the quantity of redox reactions per time unit in a flow of an electrolytic solution of said battery (B).