Scientific Reports (Apr 2018)

Zn-based eutectic mixture as anolyte for hybrid redox flow batteries

  • Yiyu Wang,
  • Zhihui Niu,
  • Qi Zheng,
  • Changkun Zhang,
  • Jing Ye,
  • Gaole Dai,
  • Yu Zhao,
  • Xiaohong Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-24059-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract Developing greener batteries with new chemistries is a formidable challenge, and a major focus for years to come. Redox flow batteries are receiving increasing research interest for grid-scale electrochemical energy storage owing to their unique architecture. However, challenges still remain by their low energy density as well as corrosive and/or toxic electrolytes. An anolyte based on aprotic Zn deep-eutectic-solvent, which uses low cost, abundant and environmentally benign materials, exhibits a utilizable concentration of Zn2+ ca. 1.7 M, resulting in a reversible volumetric capacity of ca. 90 A h·L−1. Combined with high efficiencies and relatively low redox potential of −1.12 V vs. Ag/AgCl, such an anolyte provides an alternative way to explore a family of anolytes using new chemistries for rechargeable Zn batteries that meet the criteria for grid-scale electrical energy storage.