A series of tris(4,4'-alkylester-2,2'-bipyridine)chromium(III) and (0) complexes, and tris(4,4'-alkoxy-2,2'-bipyridine)chromium(III) complexes have been synthesized and electrochemically characterized for application as redox active electrolytes for non-aqueous redox flow batteries. These set of complexes offer multiple reversible electron redox events (up to 6) based on metal-ligand interactions.  Solubility of these complexes were assessed by UV-Vis spectroscopy affording a maximum solubility of 0.71 M in acetonitrile in the +3 oxidation state and 0.21 M in acetonitrile in the 0 oxidation state. H-cell charge/discharge experiments determined the energy and columbic efficiencies for select compounds. Our results indicate that chemical intermediates during the charge/discharge of the battery are a key limiting factor for high energy density efficiencies.

Application of multi-electron redox active Cr-complexes for non-aqueous redox flow batteries

248th National Meeting (2014)

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