Electroactive compounds for improved stability in redox flow batteries

The research group is focused on generating advanced knowledge in the field of electrochemical energy storage. Its main lines of research include the study of new electroactive materials, the development and characterization of electrochemical storage systems, the optimization of electrochemical processes, and the fundamental analysis of transport and reactivity phenomena to advance battery technologies and efficient, sustainable energy systems.

The invention provides an improved, more stable and durable electrolyte, enabling efficient and reliable energy storage, while avoiding the instability of electrolytes in redox flow batteries under alkaline conditions.

Applications

Redox flow batteries for energy storage:

- Large scale energy storage: For integration with renewable energy sources such as solar or wind.

- Residential systems: Providing backup power or home storage.

- Electric mobility: Energy storage for electric vehicles.

- Hybrid applications: Combined use of redox flow batteries with supercapacitors that adapt to storage requirements.

New and innovative aspects

The key innovation is the modification of the viologen structure by replacing the nitrogen atoms with aryl groups. This modification alters the electronic properties of the carbon atom bonded to the nitrogen atoms, effectively preventing nucleophilic attack by hydroxyl anions, which would otherwise degrade the viologen.

This represents a significant advance in viologen derivative chemistry, offering improvements in:

• The functionality of the electrolyte in very basic pH environments,
• The durability of the flow battery containing the viologen electrolyte,
• Increased energy storage efficiency over longer periods of time,
• The ability to operate at high current densities for extended periods at low energy cost.

Main advantages of its use

The use of the new electrolyte in flow batteries has the following advantages:

• Improved chemical stability: The design prevents degradation in basic media, significantly increasing the lifetime of the electrolyte.
• Improved energy efficiency: Enables operation at high current densities with lower energy loss.
• Application flexibility: Compatible with modular batteries, residential power systems and large-scale storage.
• Sustainability: Supports alkaline conditions that facilitate simple and effective rebalancing strategies.

Specifications

wherein:

- R1 is selected from -Y, -OY, -COOY, -SY and -NY2,

wherein Y represents:

- H or an organic radical chosen from alkyl alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyl, aryl, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, alkylene oxide and alkyleneimine, optionally substituted with at least a substituent selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, –CN, –OR’, –SR’ and, –NR’R’’, wherein R’ and R’’ are independently selected from H, alkyl, alkylene oxide and alkyleneimine;

- is an integer independently selected from 0 to 5;

- n and p, are ineger positive numbers, and

- N is an anion.

Desired business relationship

Commercial Agreement, License Agreement, Technical Cooperation: further development; Technical Cooperation: testing new applications; Technical Cooperation: adaptation to specific needs.