Publication: Unraveling the role of supporting electrolytes in organic redox flow battery performance

Redox Flow Batteries (RFBs) are promising energy storage systems to mitigate the fluctuations in renewable energy production and stabilize the electrical grid. One key strategy proposed by the scientific community to address the sustainability issues of current vanadium technology is the replacement of metallic species with organic redox molecules. While substantial efforts have focused on molecular engineering to optimize the properties of these active species, the critical role of the supporting electrolyte has been overlooked and neglected. This review by MeBattery partner IMDEA highlights the importance of the supporting electrolyte, comprising the solvent and salt, in influencing the performance of organic RFBs. In particular, computational and experimental studies reporting and elucidating the interactions between supporting electrolytes and organic redox species are thoroughly analysed here. These interactions have been shown to significantly enhance battery performance by shifting the redox potential, increasing solubility, and improving stability of the active molecules. Additionally, the importance of the proper selection of counterions and its role in modulating these effects is analysed. Finally, the review outlines key challenges and provides future research directions to deepen the understanding of electrolyte effects on organic RFB performance, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary approaches to achieve stable, efficient, and commercially viable organic redox flow batteries.

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