SMALL ORGANIC MOLECULE BASED FLOW BATTERY

摘要

The invention provides an electrochemical cell based on a new chemistry for a flow battery for large scale, e.g., gridscale, electrical energy storage. Electrical energy is stored chemically at an electrochemical electrode by the protonation of small organic molecules called quinones to hydroquinones. The proton is provided by a complementary electrochemical reaction at the other electrode. These reactions are reversed to deliver electrical energy. A flow battery based on this concept can operate as a closed system. The flow battery architecture has scaling advantages over solid electrode batteries for large scale energy storage.

主权项

1. A rechargeable battery comprising first and second electrodes, wherein in its charged state, the battery comprises a redox active species in contact with the first electrode and a hydroquinone dissolved or suspended in aqueous solution in contact with the second electrode, wherein during discharge the redox active species is reduced and the hydroquinone is oxidized to a quinone.