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Title: Optimization of electrode characteristics for the Br₂/H₂ redox flow cell

Abstract

The Br₂/H₂ redox flow cell shows promise as a high-power, low-cost energy storage device. The effect of various aspects of material selection, processing, and assembly of electrodes on the operation, performance, and efficiency of the system is determined. In particular, (+) electrode thickness, cell compression, hydrogen pressure, and (–) electrode architecture are investigated. Increasing hydrogen pressure and depositing the (–) catalyst layer on the membrane instead of on the carbon-paper backing layers have a large positive impact on performance, enabling a limiting current density above 2 A cm-2 and a peak power density of 1.4 W cm-2. Maximum energy efficiency of 79% is achieved. In addition, the root cause of limiting-current behavior in this system is elucidated, where it is found that Br- reversibly adsorbs at the Pt (–) electrode for potentials exceeding a critical value, and the extent of Br- coverage is potential-dependent. This phenomenon limits maximum cell current density and must be addressed in system modeling and design. These findings are expected to lower system cost and enable higher efficiency.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
  2. TVN Systems, Inc., Lawrence, KS (United States)
  3. Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, KS (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
TVN Systems, Inc., Lawrence, KS (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
OSTI Identifier:
1164831
Grant/Contract Number:  
AR0000262
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Journal of Applied Electrochemistry
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 45; Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 0021-891X
Publisher:
Springer
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
25 ENERGY STORAGE; redox flow cell; bromine; flow battery; hydrogen bromine

Citation Formats

Tucker, Michael C., Cho, Kyu Taek, Weber, Adam Z., Lin, Guangyu, and Van Nguyen, Trung. Optimization of electrode characteristics for the Br₂/H₂ redox flow cell. United States: N. p., 2014. Web. doi:10.1007/s10800-014-0772-1.
Tucker, Michael C., Cho, Kyu Taek, Weber, Adam Z., Lin, Guangyu, & Van Nguyen, Trung. Optimization of electrode characteristics for the Br₂/H₂ redox flow cell. United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-014-0772-1
Tucker, Michael C., Cho, Kyu Taek, Weber, Adam Z., Lin, Guangyu, and Van Nguyen, Trung. Fri . "Optimization of electrode characteristics for the Br₂/H₂ redox flow cell". United States. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-014-0772-1. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1164831.
@article{osti_1164831,
title = {Optimization of electrode characteristics for the Br₂/H₂ redox flow cell},
author = {Tucker, Michael C. and Cho, Kyu Taek and Weber, Adam Z. and Lin, Guangyu and Van Nguyen, Trung},
abstractNote = {The Br₂/H₂ redox flow cell shows promise as a high-power, low-cost energy storage device. The effect of various aspects of material selection, processing, and assembly of electrodes on the operation, performance, and efficiency of the system is determined. In particular, (+) electrode thickness, cell compression, hydrogen pressure, and (–) electrode architecture are investigated. Increasing hydrogen pressure and depositing the (–) catalyst layer on the membrane instead of on the carbon-paper backing layers have a large positive impact on performance, enabling a limiting current density above 2 A cm-2 and a peak power density of 1.4 W cm-2. Maximum energy efficiency of 79% is achieved. In addition, the root cause of limiting-current behavior in this system is elucidated, where it is found that Br- reversibly adsorbs at the Pt (–) electrode for potentials exceeding a critical value, and the extent of Br- coverage is potential-dependent. This phenomenon limits maximum cell current density and must be addressed in system modeling and design. These findings are expected to lower system cost and enable higher efficiency.},
doi = {10.1007/s10800-014-0772-1},
journal = {Journal of Applied Electrochemistry},
number = 1,
volume = 45,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Oct 17 00:00:00 EDT 2014},
month = {Fri Oct 17 00:00:00 EDT 2014}
}

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Works referencing / citing this record:

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A Zinc-Bromine Flow Battery with Improved Design of Cell Structure and Electrodes
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