Harnessing Redox-Active Molecules in Alkylammonium Halide-Based Eutectic Solvents for Redox Flow Batteries

Syum, Zeru; Wainright, Jesse; Prado, Desiree Mae; Gurkan, Burcu; Sabhapathy, Palani; Burda, Clemens; Vasil, Matthew; Savinell, Robert

doi:10.1149/1945-7111/ade406

Harnessing Redox-Active Molecules in Alkylammonium Halide-Based Eutectic Solvents for Redox Flow Batteries

Journal Article · Wed Jun 25 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/ade406· OSTI ID:3006815

Syum, Zeru ^[1]; Wainright, Jesse ^[1]; Prado, Desiree Mae ^[1]; ^[1]; Sabhapathy, Palani ^[1]; Burda, Clemens ^[1]; Vasil, Matthew ^[1]; ^[1]

Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (United States)

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are promising for large-scale energy storage, however, advancements in performance and cost-effectiveness are critical factors for adoption. Here we report on alkylammonium halide based eutectic solvents (ESs) and found that a ESs comprising of diethylammonium chloride or bromide, in ethylene glycol demonstrated exceptional stability and a wide electrochemical stability window, making it a promising candidate for RFB applications. The electrochemical stability and redox behavior of the alkylammonium halide-based ESs are significantly influenced by hydrogen-bonding interactions, modulated by the alkyl chain length of the cation and the nature of the anion. A redox-active eutectic electrolyte containing 0.45 M methyl viologen dichloride (MV²⁺) paired with acetylferrocene exhibited reversible redox behavior with a maximum open-circuit voltage of ∼1.34 V. The first redox couple, representing the viologen dication to radical cation transition, exhibited remarkable stability with consistent performance, achieving an energy efficiency near 70% at charge-discharge current densities of 10 mA cm⁻² over 160 cycles with about 3% loss of the initial capacity. This study highlights the potential of alkylammonium halide DES systems for implementing eutectic-based RFB technologies in the future.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0019409

OSTI ID:: 3006815

Journal Information:: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 172; ISSN 1945-7111; ISSN 0013-4651

Publisher:: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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