Issue 28, 2018

Heterometal functionalization yields improved energy density for charge carriers in nonaqueous redox flow batteries

Abstract

The development of facile, high-yielding synthetic routes to energy-dense charge carriers is critical for the success of redox flow battery technologies. Here, we present the results of synthetic modifications to our recently established series of polyoxovanadium clusters, [V6O7(OR)12] (R = CH3; C2H5), with respect to their performance as charge carriers for nonaqueous redox flow batteries. We demonstrate that incorporation of one ([TiV5(OCH3)13]) or two ([Ti2V4(OCH3)14]) titanium ions within the Lindqvist core significantly increases the cell voltage of the system (from 1.60 V, to 2.30 and 2.74 V, respectively) while the solubility and redox stability observed for cluster complexes is retained. The improved physicochemical properties result in a 740% increase in energy density for [TiV5O6(OCH3)13], and a 210% increase for [Ti2V4O5(OCH3)14]. The kinetic implications of heterometal incorporation are assessed, demonstrating the importance of considering diffusion coefficients and heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants in mixed-metal charge carrier schematics. Ultimately, these results provide insight into structure–function relationships that will inform future synthetic design strategies of charge carriers for nonaqueous energy storage.

Graphical abstract: Heterometal functionalization yields improved energy density for charge carriers in nonaqueous redox flow batteries

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
11 Apr 2018
Accepted
25 Jun 2018
First published
26 Jun 2018

J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018,6, 13874-13882

Author version available

Heterometal functionalization yields improved energy density for charge carriers in nonaqueous redox flow batteries

L. E. VanGelder and Ellen M. Matson, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018, 6, 13874 DOI: 10.1039/C8TA03312A

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