Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Fall 8-25-2023
Abstract
Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have recently attracted much attention as potential green electrolyte solvents for redox flow batteries. DESs are considered not only as environmentally sustainable but also economically attractive electrolytes because they can be resourced from biological feedstock (alcohols, urea, choline) and are earth-abundant and of low toxicity. Despite these advantages, DESs still have limitations in important aspects such as reactant and ion transport, which is inhibited due to hydrogen-bonding-induced viscosity. Thus, improving the transport properties of redox species in DESs is essential. In addition, we explore the quantitative addition of water to ethaline (a 1:2 choline chloride: ethylene glycol mixture) in order to understand its influence on the kinetics and mass transport properties of DESs. In this work, we show that DESs can be made more fluid and less dense, while avoiding most of the electrochemical instabilities of water. Herein, we investigate the effects of gradually increasing amounts of water to the redox system of Fe2+/3+in ethaline. Our study shows that systematic addition of water leads to a three-fold increase in ionic conductivity and decrease in viscosity that enhances the mass transport and kinetics of DES-based electrolytes while still maintaining an electrochemical window of approximately 1.90 V. The use of environmentally benign electrolyte components together with the observed increase in conductivity will result in a more efficient redox flow battery (RFB) that operates at higher power density without relying on harmful solvents and fossil fuel-based processes.
Keywords
Deep eutectic solvent, Redox flow battery, Hydrodynamic voltammetry, Redox couple, Renewable energy
Publication Title
Electrochimica Acta
Rights
© 2023 published by Elsevier. This manuscript is made available under the Elsevier user license https://www.elsevier.com/open-access/userlicense/1.0/
Recommended Citation
Prado, D. M.; Shen, X.; Savinell, R.; Burda, C. Hydrodynamic Voltammetry of Fe 2 + / 3 + in Aqueous Deep Eutectic Solvents towards Redox Flow Batteries. Electrochim. Acta 2023, 467, 143082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2023.143082.
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Analytical Chemistry Commons, Materials Chemistry Commons, Physical Chemistry Commons, Transport Phenomena Commons
Comments
This is a peer reviewed Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Elsevier in Electrochimica Acta, available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2023.143082