Characteristics of graphite based composite electrodes containing carbon nanotubes for vanadium redox flow batteries

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4239.2013.03.007

Abstract

Abstract: Graphite (GP) based composite electrodes containing multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) were prepared for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB) using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as binding agent. Electrochemical performance of the GP-MWCNT composite electrodes was characterized by chronoamperometry, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that both positive and negative electrode reactions of VRFB benefited from the use of more MWCNT in the composite electrode, and the best electrochemical performance was obtained with pure MWCNT electrode. A VRFB was therefore constructed using pure MWCNT electrodes as both the positive and negative electrodes. Preliminary charge/discharge tests at a current density of 30 mA/cm²demonstrated that the VRFB had a good stability and electrochemical performance. The current efficiency, voltage efficiency and energy efficiency were 96%, 87% and 84%, respectively.

Key words: vanadium redox flow battery, graphite, multi-walled carbon nanotube, composite electrode, electrochemical performance

CLC Number:

TM911

LI Dandan, CHU Youqun, LI Wenwen, MA Chunan. Characteristics of graphite based composite electrodes containing carbon nanotubes for vanadium redox flow batteries[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2013, 2(3): 227-232.

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