X-ray micro-tomography as a diagnostic tool for the electrode degradation in vanadium redox flow batteries

Micro-tomography (CT) can be successfully employed to characterize ex situ the structural changes occurring in graphite felt electrodes during vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) operation. Coupled high resolution X-ray and electron microscopy in conjunction with XPS are used to elucidate the microstructural and chemical changes to the high voltage RFB carbon electrode. The results reveal the onset of corrosion of the carbon felt structure relatively early in the VRFB life-cycle, extended operation is expected to result in extensive microstructural evolution effects. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.