Flow batteries obtain their energy from two liquids that exchange their ions across a special membrane. An organic flow battery is a special case where natural materials act as solvents as opposed to chemical compounds. Moreover, these molecules could reduce costs to affordable levels. That is, if we could find a way to prevent them decomposing, as all life eventually does.
Harvard Organic Flow Battery Breathes New Life
Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have made a remarkable discovery. After lengthy research, they now know how to prevent organic anthraquinone molecules decomposing, and even how to reverse the process.
They say this could reduce the capacity fade of organic flow batteries by a factor of 40 , while keeping the energy source affordable. Michael Aziz and colleagues have developed a new, affordable ‘death defying’ molecule. They call it ‘zombie quinone’ and claim it solves capacity loss while remaining affordable.
Low Cost is Critical to Take Flow Batteries to Market
“Low mass-production cost is really important if organic flow batteries are going to gain wide market penetration,” Michael Aziz argues. “So, if we can use these techniques to extend our molecule lifetime to decades, then we have a winning chemistry.”
His team initially thought organic decomposition occurred naturally. However they later discovered their anthraquinone molecules tended to lose one of their oxygen molecules during charging. Further research revealed two solutions. Firstly overcharging speeds decomposition. And secondly extra oxygen exposure at a critical stage of charging brings the molecules back to life again.
A Single Experiment Recovered 70% of Life Lost
We need to determine the right combination of these approaches to control flow battery fade, Michael Aziz admits. None the less their research is a significant advance toward a low-cost, long-life organic flow battery.
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Preview Image: Classic Flow Battery Design
