Hydrogen/functionalized benzoquinone for a high-performance regenerative fuel cell as a potential large-scale energy storage platform
File(s)
Author(s)
Javier, Rubio-Garcia
Kucernak, Anthony
Liu, Rutao
Chakrabarti, Barun
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The redox flow battery (RFB) is a suitable option for electricity storage due to its high energy efficiency, scalability and relative safety. However, the limited metallic resources for redox materials and the high cost in systems such as the all-vanadium RFB are major challenges for wider application. Organics may be sourced more abundantly and have lower prices than metal based redox couples. In this work a regenerative fuel cell involving relatively inexpensive organic redox couples is demonstrated. The electrochemical properties of 1,2-dihydrobenzoquinone-3,5-disulfonic acid (BQDS) are characterised by cyclic voltammetry and linear-sweep voltammetry under hydrodynamic conditions. A regenerative fuel cell using 0.65 M BQDS in 1 M H2SO4 as positive electrolyte and gaseous hydrogen (1 bar) as negative redox-material results in an open circuit cell voltage of 0.86 V, a power density of 122 mW/cm2, and an energy density of 10.90 Wh L-1 without considering the volume occupied by the hydrogen. Very promising performance with an energy efficiency >60% at 100 mA cm-2 for 200 cycles is reported. New organic redox species resistant to side reactions could facilitate the use of this new system in practical applications. The use of hydrogen may also contribute to reduced side reactions of the organic redox associated with degradation in the presence of oxygen.
Date Issued
2020-01-16
Date Acceptance
2020-01-15
Citation
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2020, 8 (7), pp.3933-3941
ISSN
2050-7488
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
3933
End Page
3941
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Volume
8
Issue
7
Copyright Statement
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2020
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Identifier
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/TA/C9TA12396B#!divAbstract
Grant Number
EP/L014289/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Technology
Chemistry, Physical
Energy & Fuels
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry
Materials Science
REDOX FLOW BATTERIES
HIGH-CURRENT DENSITY
CARBON
ELECTRODES
TRANSPORT
CROSSOVER
CAPACITY
PROGRESS
SYSTEMS
MODEL
0303 Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry
0912 Materials Engineering
0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2020-01-16