Three-Dimensional-Printed Device for In Situ Monitoring of an Organic Redox-Flow Battery via NMR/MRI

A mini organic redox-flow battery pluggable on the basis of a high -resolution nuclear magnetic resonance probehead has been conceived and built mainly by 3D printing. This device allows the realization of all modern spectroscopy experiments as well as imaging experiments. It has been tested for the real-time monitoring of redox cycling of 9,10-anthraquinone-2,7-disulfonic acid disodium salt (2,7-AQDS) in acidic conditions, which has revealed the preponderant role of dimerization in the processes of oxidation and reduction. Determination of the thermodynamic properties of homo-and heterodimer formation through quantum chemical, multilevel modeling workflows confirms our hypotheses about the molecular processes occurring during charge and discharge.

Automated summary

A mini organic redox-flow battery, built by 3D printing on the basis of a high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance probehead, enables modern spectroscopy and imaging experiments. The device was tested for real-time monitoring of 9,10-anthraquinone-2,7-disulfonic acid disodium salt (2,7-AQDS) redox cycling in acidic conditions, revealing the significant role of dimerization in the oxidation and reduction processes. Quantum chemical and multilevel modeling workflows confirmed hypotheses about molecular processes during charge and discharge.