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Updated: Sep 24, 2025

A Protocol for Electrochemical Evaluations and State of Charge Diagnostics of a Symmetric Organic Redox Flow Battery
Published on: February 13, 2017
An all organic redox flow battery with high cell voltage
Yongjie Huo1,2, Xueqi Xing1,2, Cuijuan Zhang1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Applied Catalysis Science and Technology, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University Tianjin 300072 China cjzhang@tju.edu.cn ydli@tju.edu.cn.
This study presents an all-organic redox flow battery using 4,4'-dimethylbenzophenone (44DMBP) and 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-dimethoxybenzene (DBB). It achieves a high open circuit voltage and stable performance over 95 cycles.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are promising for grid-scale energy storage.
- Developing organic electrode materials offers a sustainable alternative to metal-based systems.
- High voltage organic RFBs are crucial for increasing energy density.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize an all-organic redox flow battery.
- To evaluate the electrochemical performance of novel organic anolyte and catholyte materials.
- To assess the long-term stability and efficiency of the organic RFB.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of 4,4 -dimethylbenzophenone (44DMBP) as an anolyte.
- Synthesis and characterization of 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-dimethoxybenzene (DBB) as a catholyte.
- Assembly and electrochemical testing of the all-organic redox flow battery, including cyclic voltammetry and long-term cycling.
Main Results:
- The organic RFB demonstrated a high open circuit voltage (Voc) of 2.97 V.
- An average coulombic efficiency of 72% was achieved over 95 cycles.
- Stable cycling performance was observed at a current density of 1 mA cm-2.
Conclusions:
- All-organic redox flow batteries can achieve high operating voltages.
- The combination of 44DMBP and DBB offers a viable system for organic RFBs.
- Further optimization of electrolyte composition and cell design could enhance coulombic efficiency and cycle life.
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