Quinoxaline Redox Materials for Aqueous Flow Batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aqueous redox flow batteries face limitations in energy density and efficiency due to low solubility of redox active materials and single electron transfer, leading to high costs and complex material requirements for construction, which hinders their widespread adoption for large-scale energy storage.
Innovation Solution
The use of a flow battery system incorporating a first and second aqueous electrolyte with a quinoxaline moiety or its salts, allowing for two-electron transfer and operation at mild pH values, reducing material costs and enhancing energy density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional redox active materials are used in aqueous flow batteries, then the system can operate with simple chemistry, but the energy density remains low due to limited solubility and single electron transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the redox active material by using organic species instead of conventional inorganic materials. These organic materials enable two-electron transfer reactions and achieve solubility greater than 2 M, directly addressing the limitation of single electron transfer and low solubility in traditional systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite organic redox active materials that combine multiple functional groups or molecular structures to achieve both high solubility in aqueous electrolytes and multi-electron transfer capability, resolving the contradiction between quantity of substance and productivity
2Quantity of substance
If acid or base electrolytes are used to achieve higher energy density, then the energy density improves, but the cost of construction materials increases due to corrosion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the electrolyte system by operating at mild pH values (near neutral) instead of highly acidic or basic conditions. This allows the use of less expensive construction materials that do not require special corrosion resistance, while still achieving high energy density through the high solubility and multi-electron transfer of organic redox active materials
Solution Approach 2:
By operating at mild pH, the system can use cheaper materials for piping, tanks, and electrochemical cell components instead of expensive corrosion-resistant materials, reducing overall system cost while maintaining high energy density through the chemical properties of the organic redox active materials
3Reliability
If transition metal redox active species are used, then the system achieves stable electrochemical reactions, but the material costs increase and the electron transfer is limited to single electron
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by replacing transition metal redox active species with organic redox active materials. These organic materials maintain electrochemical stability while enabling two-electron transfer reactions and achieving solubility greater than 2 M, thereby increasing charge carrier concentration without sacrificing reliability
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 configuration increases energy density and reduces material costs, enabling more efficient and cost-effective large-scale energy storage solutions for electrical transmission grids.
Implementation Method 1
redox active material comprises a quinoxaline moiety... capable of undergoing 2 electron transfer
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are redox flow batteries comprising a first aqueous electrolyte comprising a first type of redox active material and a second aqueous electrolyte comprising a second type of redox active material. The first type of redox active material may comprise one or more types of quinoxalines, or salts thereof. Methods for storing and releasing energy utilizing the described redox flow batteries are also provided.