Phenazine-Based Redox Flow Battery Electrolytes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current redox flow batteries face challenges such as high costs of active materials, low cell and system performance, poor cycle life, and toxicity, limiting their widespread adoption for large-scale energy storage applications, especially with inorganic redox materials like vanadium and bromine, which also pose environmental and health risks.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel phenazine-based compounds with specific substitution patterns as redox-active species for use in redox flow batteries, offering improved electrochemical performance, increased water solubility, stability, and accelerated oxidation/reduction kinetics, potentially replacing traditional inorganic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inorganic redox materials like vanadium and bromine are used in redox flow batteries, then the batteries can achieve stable electrochemical performance, but the cost increases and toxicity issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing inorganic redox materials (vanadium, bromine) with organic compounds containing specific functional groups (quinone, hydroquinone, catechol). This parameter change maintains electrochemical stability while eliminating toxicity concerns associated with heavy metals and reactive inorganic species.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs organic compounds that can be synthesized from abundant, inexpensive precursors rather than relying on scarce inorganic materials like vanadium. The organic redox mediators can be readily regenerated and replaced at lower cost, addressing both cost and toxicity issues.
2Quantity of substance
If inorganic redox materials are used in redox flow batteries, then the batteries can provide sufficient energy storage capacity, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition from expensive inorganic redox species to organic compounds with comparable or superior energy storage capacity. The organic mediators can undergo multiple electron transfer cycles, providing sufficient capacity while reducing material costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes organic compounds that can be synthesized from abundant, low-cost chemical precursors. These organic redox mediators replace expensive inorganic materials, enabling cost-effective manufacturing of redox flow batteries with adequate energy storage capacity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional inorganic redox materials are used, then the batteries can achieve acceptable cycle life, but the system performance and reliability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical nature of redox mediators from inorganic to organic, improving system reliability through better solubility, faster reaction kinetics, and enhanced stability. The organic compounds with specific functional groups provide improved electrochemical performance while maintaining long cycle life.
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 phenazine-based compounds enhance the efficiency and reliability of redox flow batteries by providing a safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly option for energy storage, with improved energy density, operating potential, and extended cell lifetime.
Implementation Method 1
Redox reactions are employed to store energy in the form of a chemical potential in liquid electrolyte solutions which flow through a battery of electrochemical cells during charge and discharge. The stored electrochemical energy can be converted to electrical energy upon discharge with concomitant reversal of the opposite redox reactions.
Implementation Method 2
During discharge, electrons are released via an oxidation reaction from a high chemical potential state on the anode of the battery
Implementation Method 3
Finally, the electrons are accepted via a reduction reaction at a lower chemical potential state on the cathode of the battery
Implementation Method 4
RFBs usually include a positive electrode (cathode) and a negative electrode (anode) in separated cells and separated by an ion-exchange membrane
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to novel phenazine-based compounds and compositions comprising the same and their use as redox flow battery electrolytes.