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A Protocol for Electrochemical Evaluations and State of Charge Diagnostics of a Symmetric Organic Redox Flow Battery
Published on: February 13, 2017
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A biomimetic redox flow battery based on flavin mononucleotide.
Akihiro Orita1,2, Michael G Verde1, Masanori Sakai2
1Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
Nature Communications
|October 22, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed a low-cost, aqueous redox flow battery using flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and vitamin B3. This energy storage system demonstrates stable performance, retaining over 99% capacity after 100 cycles.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Redox flow batteries offer versatile, low-cost energy storage solutions for large-scale applications.
- Developing inexpensive, water-based electrolytes with organic electroactive materials remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) as an organic electroactive material in aqueous redox flow batteries.
- To enhance the solubility of FMN using nicotinamide (vitamin B3) as a hydrotropic agent.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a redox flow battery utilizing flavin mononucleotide negative and ferrocyanide positive electrolytes.
- Employing nicotinamide to increase the aqueous solubility of flavin mononucleotide.
- Conducting cycling performance tests to evaluate battery stability and capacity retention.
Main Results:
- The developed flow battery exhibited stable cycling performance over 100 cycles.
- Demonstrated over 99% capacity retention, indicating high durability.
- Successfully utilized flavin mononucleotide and nicotinamide in an aqueous electrolyte system.
Conclusions:
- Flavin mononucleotide, enhanced by nicotinamide, is a promising electroactive material for aqueous redox flow batteries.
- The observed stability suggests potential for cost-effective and efficient large-scale energy storage.
- Resonance stabilization of FMN's redox states may contribute to the battery's long-term performance.
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