Phenazine-Based Electrolyte Compositions for Redox Flow Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current redox flow batteries rely on inorganic materials like vanadium or bromine, which are toxic or scarce, and organic electrolytes face challenges in stability, solubility, and cost-effectiveness for large-scale energy storage applications, with phenazine derivatives showing promise but requiring further optimization for commercialization.
Innovation Solution
A novel electrolyte composition combining a phenazine derivative as a first redox active compound with a second distinct redox active compound, not a phenazine derivative, to enhance maximum cell performance, round-trip efficiency, and reduce cell resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If inorganic materials like vanadium or bromine are used in redox flow batteries, then energy storage capacity is achieved, but toxicity or restricted availability occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters from inorganic materials to organic materials, specifically using phenazine derivatives and other organic redox-active species. This parameter change maintains energy storage capacity while eliminating toxicity issues associated with inorganic materials like vanadium and bromine.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite electrolyte compositions combining multiple organic redox-active species (phenazine derivatives with other organic compounds) to achieve the desired energy storage capacity. This composite approach allows optimization of performance while maintaining the benefits of organic materials.
2Quantity of substance
If inorganic materials like vanadium or bromine are used in redox flow batteries, then energy storage capacity is achieved, but restricted availability of active materials occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from inorganic materials with restricted availability to organic materials that can be synthesized from abundant resources. Organic redox-active species can be produced through chemical synthesis from readily available starting materials, ensuring long-term availability for large-scale energy storage applications.
3Reliability
If phenazine derivatives are used as redox active species, then stability and performance are improved, but further optimization is required for commercialization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the phenazine derivative structure by modifying molecular parameters such as adding specific functional groups (sulfonic acid groups, alkyl chains) and adjusting molecular weight. These parameter changes enhance both stability and manufacturability, addressing commercialization requirements while maintaining the inherent stability of phenazine structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines phenazine derivatives with other organic redox-active species to create composite electrolyte compositions. This composite approach allows the system to benefit from the stability of phenazines while incorporating complementary properties from other organic compounds, achieving commercialization-ready performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If organic redox active molecules are used, then availability and cost-effectiveness are improved, but challenges in stability, solubility and cell potential occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular parameters of organic redox-active species by introducing specific functional groups (such as sulfonic acid groups for solubility, alkyl chains for stability) and adjusting molecular structure. These parameter changes simultaneously improve availability, stability, and solubility of the organic electrolytes.
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 combination improves maximum cell performance, round-trip efficiency, and decreases cell resistance, addressing the limitations of existing organic electrolytes and paving the way for commercialization and large-scale energy storage.
Implementation Method 1
RFBs are electrochemical systems that can repeatedly store and convert electrical energy to chemical energy and vice versa, when needed. Redox reactions are employed to store energy in the form of a chemical potential in liquid electrolyte compositions
Implementation Method 2
Redox reactions are employed to store energy in the form of a chemical potential in liquid electrolyte compositions, which are pumped through electrochemical cells
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to electrolyte compositions comprising distinct redox-active compounds, namely, a redox-active compound, which is phenazine or a phenazine derivative, and a distinct redox-active compound, which is not phenazine or a phenazine derivative. The present invention also relates to the use of such electrolyte compositions as redox flow battery electrolytes. Accordingly, the invention further provides a redox flow battery comprising said compositions.