In this contribution, we will discuss several approaches to increase the functionality of electrolytes for redox flow batteries. The primary focus will be on approaches to achieve high performance non-aqueous electrolytes. Fundamentall studies of ion-ion interactions between various cations and fixed sites in membranes will be presented. In conductivity measurements, cations exchanged into sulfonate-based membranes generally show opposite behavior in membranes swollen in non-aqueous solvents to that observed in water swollen materials. Surprisingly, this even extends to organic quaternized ammonium ions: larger cations lead to <i>higher</i> conductivity. Extensive spectroscopy studies of ion pairing and solvation as well as component mobility provide a clear picture of the underlying causes of this behavior. These results will be projected into performance of non-aqueous flow battery systems.

Electrolytes to expand the range of options for flow batteries

2019 Spring National Meeting

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