Functional materials for aqueous redox flow batteries: merits and applications

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are promising for large-scale energy storage due to scalable design.
• Aqueous RFBs are favored for their low cost and high safety.
• Significant research focuses on advanced functional materials for aqueous RFBs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current aqueous RFB technologies and material requirements.
• To discuss design principles for high-performance redox-active materials, electrodes, and membranes.
• To analyze performance decay mechanisms and identify future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of aqueous RFB studies.
• Analysis of functional material properties (solubility, stability, conductivity, selectivity).
• Examination of battery performance decay factors.

Main Results:

• Aqueous RFBs require redox-active materials, stable electrodes, and selective membranes.
• Design principles for inorganic and organic redox-active materials are discussed.
• Mechanisms of performance decay are analyzed, including intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Conclusions:

• Future development of aqueous RFBs hinges on advanced functional materials.
• Optimizing materials is crucial for enhancing performance and longevity.
• This review provides insights for practical applications and future research priorities.