Microstructural engineering of high-power redox flow battery electrodes via non-solvent induced phase separation

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are emerging as viable options for grid-scale energy storage, but their elevated costs hamper commercialization. Enhancing the porous carbon electrode performance to improve power density and reduce system costs is an effective strategy toward widespread deployment; however, the porous carbon electrode must satisfy multiple contradictory roles, including providing high surface area, low pressure drop, and facile mass transport, thus motivating electrode engineering efforts. In this work, we systematically explore the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) technique as a plat-form to synthesize a family of distinct microstructures for use in RFBs. Flow cell studies in commercially relevant redox pairs (i.e., Fe2+/3+, V2+/3+, and V4+/5+) are performed, revealing diverse performance profiles, synthesis-structure-performance relationships, and opportunities for high-power electrode materials. We anticipate that, with further refinement and customization, NIPS electrodes can broadly benefit electrode engineering efforts for electrochemical energy storage and conversion applications.

Automated summary

This study explores the synthesis of a family of distinct microstructures of porous carbon electrodes for flow batteries using the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) technique. The study reveals diverse performance profiles and opportunities for high-power electrode materials.