Electrolyte including mixture of active material and precursor thereof
11489184 · 2022-11-01
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
C07C50/32
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
Y02E60/50
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
C07C309/44
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
H01M8/18
ELECTRICITY
H01M8/188
ELECTRICITY
International classification
H01M8/18
ELECTRICITY
C07C309/44
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
Abstract
An electrolyte including a mixture of hydroxynaphtoquinone and a precursor material thereof is provided. The electrolyte may achieve higher capacities.
Claims
1. An electrolyte for an aqueous redox flow battery (ARFB), the electrolyte comprising a mixture of a compound represented by Formula (I) and a compound represented by Formula (II): ##STR00005## ##STR00006## wherein R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl, and C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkoxy, and M is a metal selected from the group consisting of Na, Li, and K; wherein the electrolyte is a basic aqueous solution.
2. The electrolyte of claim 1, wherein a molar ratio of the compound represented by Formula (II) to the compound represented by Formula (I) ranges from 0.1 to 10.
3. The electrolyte of claim 1, wherein the compound represented by Formula (I) has a lower molar concentration than the compound represented by Formula (II).
4. The electrolyte of claim 1, wherein a molar ratio of the compound represented by Formula (II) to the compound represented by Formula (I) ranges from 1.5 to 3.
5. The electrolyte of claim 1, wherein the compound represented by Formula (I) is a compound represented by Formula (III): ##STR00007## wherein M is the same as defined in claim 1.
6. The electrolyte of claim 1, wherein the compound represented by Formula (II) is a compound represented by Formula (IV): ##STR00008##
7. The electrolyte of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte contains KOH.
8. An aqueous redox flow battery (ARFB) comprising the electrolyte of claim 1.
9. The ARFB of claim 8, wherein the electrolyte is used as a negative electrode electrolyte and ferrocyanide is used as a positive electrode electrolyte.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
(1) These and/or other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of example embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:
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DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
(14) Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, as various changes may be applied to the example embodiments, the right scope of patent application is not restricted or limited by the example embodiments. It should be understood that all modifications, equivalences, or substitutions for the example embodiments are included in the right scope.
(15) Terms used in the example embodiments are used for the purposes of illustration only, but should not be interpreted as intended to limit the example embodiments. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression in the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context. In this specification, it should be understood that a term such as “comprises” or “having” is used to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, parts, or any combination thereof described in the specification, but it does not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, parts, or any combination thereof.
(16) Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless clearly defined in the present application.
(17) In describing the example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements will be referenced by like reference numerals or signs regardless of the drawing numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated. In describing the example embodiments, when it is determined that a detailed description of well-known technology relating to the present disclosure unnecessarily makes the gist of the example embodiments obscure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
(18) Throughout this specification, “%” used to indicate a concentration of a particular substance means (weight/weight) % for solid/solid, (weight/volume) % for solid/liquid, and (volume/volume) % for liquid/liquid, unless otherwise noted.
(19) Used Materials
(20) 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonic acid sodium salt (NQ-S), 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (Lawsone), and FeCN were purchased from Alfa Aesar, and KCl and KOH were purchased from Samchun Chemical.
Experimental Example 1. Analysis of Reaction of NQ-S to NQ-OH Compound
(21) Conversion of NQ-S to NQ-OH was observed through the following processes.
(22) Initially, 0.01 M NQ-S was dissolved in 1 M KOH and then the NQ-S solution was stayed for few hours. Changes in a chemical structure of the NQ-S solution were observed using cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis spectroscopy.
(23) According to the CV curves shown in
(24) When the staying time was extended into 6 hours, only the redox potential peak of −0.55 V vs Ag/AgCl was observed, which may indicate that the NQ-S was completely transformed into NQ-OH.
(25) For the UV-vis spectroscopy, the following three samples were prepared: (i) NQ-S that is just dissolved in KOH (sample 1); (ii) NQ-S dissolved in KOH for 6 hours (sample 2); and (iii) pristine Lawsone (sample 3). In
(26) The above conversion mechanism from NQ-S to NQ-OH is illustrated in
Experimental Example 2: Solubility Analysis
(27) Excessive amounts of solutions of NQ derivatives were prepared. (i) Lawsone alone, (ii) NQ-S alone, and (iii) a mixture (hereinafter, referred to as “NQ-SO”) of NQ-S and Lawsone were dissolved in a 1 M KOH solution and stirred for 24 hours. When a further period of time elapsed after stirring was stopped, each solution was divided into two parts (upper and lower parts). 400 microliters (L) of the upper part of the solution was collected and observed by a UV-vis spectrometer. An absorbance was measured to determine concentrations of NQ derivatives.
(28) As a control group, a solution with a known concentration of Lawsone was prepared, and UV-vis spectroscopy of the solution was measured. When absorbance peaks of the control group and a sample of NQ derivatives were compared, concentrations of the samples were calibrated and calculated. An absorbance based on a known concentration of pristine Lawsone used as the control group is shown in
(29) Since a solubility of NQ-S (0.83 M) in a KOH solution is higher than that of Lawsone (0.42 M) in a KOH solution, when NQ-S is mixed with Lawsone, it was expected that a solubility of the mixture after transformation of NQ-S may be higher than that of Lawsone. Absorbance peaks of Lawsone, NQ-S and NQ-SO were actually measured by UV-vis spectroscopy and shown in
(30) There are two possible reasons for this.
(31) First, a sulfite (—SO.sub.3.sup.2−) group released by transformation of NQ-S may be a hydrophilic functional group and may act as an additive for increasing the solubility of Lawsone. Therefore, it is possible to increase the solubility of Lawsone having naturally low solubility in an aqueous solution.
(32) Second, two polar-polar interactions (i) between an S═O group of —SO.sub.3.sup.2− and an —OH or C═O group of Lawsone or NQ-OH transformed from NQ-S and (ii) between the S═O group of —SO.sub.3.sup.2− and —OH groups of a KOH electrolyte may occur. The interactions may strengthen a connection between NQ-SO and KOH electrolyte, to increase its solubility in an aqueous solution, as shown in
(33) Also, a reaction of the —SO.sub.3.sup.2− group within an NQ-S dissolved in the KOH solution was observed by the UV-vis spectroscopy. Specifically, to identify the —SO.sub.3.sup.2− within the NQ-S solution, the NQ-S dissolved in the KOH solution was stayed for 24 hours and its UV-vis spectroscopy was measured, as shown in
(34) According to
Experimental Example 3. Analysis of Ratio of Lawsone and NQ-S
(35) How a ratio of Lawsone and NQ-S has an influence on a redox reaction is confirmed as follows.
(36) Samples of Lawsone and NQ-S having different ratios were prepared, and a resistance and a solubility of samples were measured electrochemically (by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)) and optically (by UV-vis spectroscopy).
(37) Specifically, the following five samples were prepared: (i) a 1:1 ratio of NQ-S and Lawsone (0.15 M NQ-S:0.15 M Lawsone); (ii) a 1:2 ratio of NQ-S and Lawsone (0.1 M NQ-S:0.2 M Lawsone); (iii) a 2:1 ratio of NQ-S and Lawsone (0.2 M NQ-S:0.1 M Lawsone); (iv) only Lawsone (0.3 M Lawsone); and (v) only NQ-S (0.3 M NQ-S).
(38) CV curve measurement results of the five samples were shown in
(39) Referring to
(40) An ohmic resistance that is measured by EIS decreases, as a proportion of NQ-S increases, as shown in
(41) A maximum overall solubility of NQ-SO in KOH is strongly a□ected by an amount of —SO.sub.3.sup.2−. When an appropriate amount of —SO.sub.3.sup.2− is dissolved in KOH, —SO.sub.3.sup.2− may act as a hydrophilic additive and may form a hydrogen bonding between KOH and NQ-SO. The —SO.sub.3.sup.2− may also absorb water instead of Lawsone, to prevent a hydration of Lawsone in KOH. As a result, the solubility of Lawsone increases. In other words, since —SO.sub.3.sup.2− is used as a hygroscopic additive, the solubility of Lawsone in KOH may increase and the overall solubility of NQ-SO may also increase. However, an excessive amount of —SO.sub.3.sup.2− dissolved in KOH may negatively a□ect the solubility of Lawsone. In other words, the —SO.sub.3.sup.2− has a naturally weak alkaline property, and an excessive amount of the —SO.sub.3.sup.2− may allow the KOH to become more alkaline. Accordingly, under the above state, Lawsone may be deprotonated and the deprotonated Lawsone may lower its solubility in KOH.
Experimental Example 4. Electrochemical Characterization Observation
(42) To observe electrochemical performance of active species, various half-cell tests were performed as follows by using a computer connected potentiostat (SP-240, BioLogic).
(43) Ag/AgCl (soaked in 3.0 M NaCl) and Pt wire were used as a reference electrode and a counter electrode, respectively. A glassy carbon electrode with an active area of 0.1936 cm.sup.2 was used as a working electrode. CV curves of the related samples were also observed. 0.01 M of NQ derivatives (Lawsone, NQ-S, and NQ-SO) was dissolved in 1 M KOH to prepare a solution, and then CV curves of NQ derivatives were measured.
(44) In the case of potassium ferrocyanide, 0.01 M of potassium ferrocyanide was dissolved in 1 M KOH or 1 M KCl to prepare a solution. Similarly, the half-cell test was performed and then CV curves of NQ derivatives were measured.
(45) Redox reaction processes of NQ-SO and FeCN are shown in
(46) By a CV measurement, an average diuerence of anodic and cathodic redox potentials and a di□usion coeflcient which is related to an electron transfer rate, were calculated. In a redox potential di□erence, those of Lawsone, NQ-S and NQ-SO were similar as 0.077 V, which indicates that an electron transfer rate of NQ derivatives is not significantly di□erent. This is because their final forms are the same as NQ-OH. In contrast, their di□usion coe□cients were di□erent and dependent on the amount of Lawsone. As the amount of Lawsone increases, a redox reactivity increased and a di□iusion coe□cient of Lawsone (1.75.Math.10.sup.−6 cm.sup.2.Math.s.sup.−1) was higher than those of NQ-S (4.62.Math.10.sup.7 cm.sup.2.Math.s.sup.−1) and NQ-SO (1.18.Math.10.sup.−6 cm.sup.2.Math.s.sup.−1). In conclusion, the di□usion coe□cient of Lawsone is higher than that of NQ-SO containing NQ-S, because NQ-S is not transformed to Lawsone only, and NQ-S is also transformed into other forms. When only Lawsone is present, Lawsone may have the superior redox reactivity on the same concentration basis, and accordingly the superior diffusion coefficient. However, when only Lawsone is used, the solubility may be significantly reduced. Due to a low solubility of Lawsone, it is not suitable to use Lawsone as a sole active material for the RFB, despite a high reactivity. Therefore, though Lawsone is quite excellent in terms of a diffusion coefficient, NQ-S is also included together with Lawsone to increase the solubility.
Experimental Example 5. Electrochemical Performance Analysis on Aqueous Redox Flow Battery (ARFB)
(47) Performance of an ARFB full cell was observed using charge-discharge equipment (Wonatech, WBCS3000). A catholyte was prepared by dissolving 0.4 M potassium ferrocyanide (FeCN) into 1 M KOH (60 mL). An anolyte was prepared by dissolving 0.2 M NQ-S and 0.4 M Lawsone into 20 mL of KOH (0.6 M NQ-SO in 1 M KOH). Carbon felt (made by Toyobo) and Nafion 117 were used as an electrode and a separator, respectively.
(48) In terms of a cross-over issue, since a molecule size of NQ-SO (4 to 8 mm) is greater than a pore size of Nafion 117 membrane (2.5 nm or less in diameter), a possibility of cross-over of NQ-SO molecules is low. Since FeCN is an anion, there is little possibility of its cross-over through Nafion. Therefore, a cross-over issue of a redox couple may not be a problem. A basic structure of the ARFB using NQ-SO and FeCN is shown in
(49) In addition, to achieve a higher capacity by a high concentration of NQ-SO, a catholyte was prepared by dissolving 0.4 M FeCN into 120 mL of 1 M KOH. An anolyte was prepared by dissolving 1.2 M NQ-SO (0.4 M NQ-S and 0.8 M Lawsone) in 20 mL of 1 M KOH. All ARFB full cell tests were performed at 100 mA.Math.cm.sup.−2, and a cut-o□ voltage range of ARFB full cells were a range of 0.2 to 1.6 V. To detect a possibility of cross-over and chemical degradation, CV tests, pH, UV-vis, and H-NMR tests were performed before and after the ARFB full cell tests.
(50) In ARFBs using NQ-SO and FeCN, 0.4 M FeCN (anolyte) and a mixture of 0.4 M NQ-S and 0.8 M Lawsone (1.2 M NQ-SO) (catholyte) were prepared with a 1 M KOH solution. The performance of ARFBs operated at 100 mA.Math.cm.sup.−2 shows a CE of 99%, a capacity decay rate of 0.104 Ah.Math.L.sup.−1 per cycle during 80 cycles, and a discharge capacity of 40.3 Ah.Math.L.sup.−1 in a state of charge (SOC) of 83%, as shown in
(51) Characterizations of “before ARFB test” and “after ARFB test” samples were performed and the results are compared and shown in
(52) A dimer formation was also proven by CV curves of
(53) To alleviate a capacity decay issue by dimerization occurred during cycling, the concentration of NQ-SO was lowered. To achieve a higher stability (a lower capacity decay) with NQ-SO during cycling, the concentration of NQ-SO decreased from 1.2 M to 0.6 M to have a combination of 0.2 M NQ-S and 0.4 M Lawsone (a 1:2 ratio of NQ-S and Lawsone) in a KOH solution. Performance of an ARFB using 0.4 M FeCN and 0.6 M NQ-SO was compared with that of an ARFB using 0.4 M FeCN and 1.2 M NQ-SO. When the performance of the ARFB using 0.4 M FeCN and 0.6 M NQ-SO was estimated, CE and EE were 99% and 55%. A discharge capacity was 22 Ah.Math.L.sup.−1 in an SOC of 70%, and a power density was 90 mW.Math.cm.sup.−2, as shown in
(54) Although the example embodiments have been described by limited drawings as described above, a person having ordinary skill in the art may apply various modifications and changes based on the example embodiments. For example, although described techniques are performed in a different order from a described method, and/or described elements such as systems, structures, devices, and circuits are combined or merged in a different form from the described method, or replaced or substituted with other elements or equivalents, appropriate results may be achieved.
(55) Therefore, equivalents to other example embodiments, other example embodiments, and patent claims are also belong to the scope of claims to be described below.