Slow reaction rate of VO2+/VO2+ is a roadblock to address to enhance performance of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). To promote languid reaction, mesoporous carbon (MSU-F-C) is served as novel catalyst. Their reaction activity and reversibility are investigated and compared to conventional catalysts. Also, charge-discharge and I-V curves are carried out to overhaul efficiencies and discharge power density. Crystal structure, available surface area and surface morphology are analyzed by chemical and optical equipment. As a result of that, novel catalyst shows (i) superior peak current ratio and electron transfer rate constant, (2) narrow peak potential discrepancy, confirming that its reaction activity and reversibility are excellent. When it comes to charge-discharge and I-V curves, the VRFB including novel catalyst indicates high efficiencies and low resistances and high discharge power density. These are because of attribute of MSU-F-C having large interconnected mesopores, high surface area and large contents of hydroxyl groups acting as active sites for VO2+/VO2+ reaction. Based on the above results, adoption of MSU-F-C as catalyst results in performance improvement of VRFB by promoting the slow VO2+/VO2+ reaction.

Performance evaluation of vanadium redox flow battery adopting mesoporous carbon catalyst

250th National Meeting (2015)

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