Research progresses in iron-based redox flow batteries

doi:10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2020.0171

Abstract

Abstract:

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are promising large-scale energy storage technologies. The commercialization of main RFBs is slow due to their high cost. Large-scale energy storage using RFBs consumes a large amount of electrolytes consisting of metals of different valences, ionic compounds, solvents, and additives. Elemental iron and iron compounds are the ideal active materials of positive and negative electrodes due to their abundant reserves and being environment friendly, and they have also been widely investigated. The research progress of iron-based RFBs in the recent years is briefly reviewed in this study. The iron-based RFBs are divided into hybrid iron-based RFBs and all-liquid iron-based RFBs based on the different active material states. The hybrid iron-based RFBs in the acid and alkaline condition are discussed. The factors influencing the RFB performance, such as hydrogen evolution, solubility, conductivity, and kinetics, are briefly described. The influence of complexing agents on solubility and kinetics is discussed. Different kinds of additives that inhibit the hydrogen evolution are introduced to improve the charging efficiency. The inhibition of the hydrogen evolution and the stability of the electrode capacity should be further improved, and new electrode structure and innovative aqueous RFB systems should be investigated.

Key words: redox flow battery, energy storage, low cost, iron-based redox flow battery, renewable energy

CLC Number:

TM 911

Dingyu GUO, Fengjing JIANG, Zhuhan ZHANG. Research progresses in iron-based redox flow batteries[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2020, 9(6): 1668-1677.

Figures/Tables 2

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