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Identifying and preventing degradation in flavin mononucleotide-based redox flow batteries via NMR and EPR spectroscopy

Author

Listed:
  • Dominic Hey

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Rajesh B. Jethwa

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Nadia L. Farag

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Bernardine L. D. Rinkel

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Evan Wenbo Zhao

    (University of Cambridge
    Radboud University)

  • Clare P. Grey

    (University of Cambridge)

Abstract

While aqueous organic redox flow batteries (RFBs) represent potential solutions to large-scale grid storage, their electrolytes suffer from short lifetimes due to rapid degradation. We show how an understanding of these degradation processes can be used to dramatically improve performance, as illustrated here via a detailed study of the redox-active biomolecule, flavin mononucleotide (FMN), a molecule readily derived from vitamin B2. Via in-situ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) we identify FMN hydrolysis products and show that these give rise to the additional plateau seen during charging of an FMN-cyanoferrate battery. The redox reactions of the hydrolysis product are not reversible, but we demonstrate that capacity is still retained even after substantial hydrolysis, albeit with reduced voltaic efficiency, FMN acting as a redox mediator. Critically, we demonstrate that degradation is mitigated and battery efficiency is substantially improved by lowering the pH to 11. Furthermore, the addition of cheap electrolyte salts to tune the pH results in a dramatic increase in solubility (above 1 M), this systematic improvement of the flavin-based system bringing RFBs one step closer to commercial viability.

Suggested Citation

  • Dominic Hey & Rajesh B. Jethwa & Nadia L. Farag & Bernardine L. D. Rinkel & Evan Wenbo Zhao & Clare P. Grey, 2023. "Identifying and preventing degradation in flavin mononucleotide-based redox flow batteries via NMR and EPR spectroscopy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-40649-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40649-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Aaron Hollas & Xiaoliang Wei & Vijayakumar Murugesan & Zimin Nie & Bin Li & David Reed & Jun Liu & Vincent Sprenkle & Wei Wang, 2018. "A biomimetic high-capacity phenazine-based anolyte for aqueous organic redox flow batteries," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(6), pages 508-514, June.
    2. Evan Wenbo Zhao & Tao Liu & Erlendur Jónsson & Jeongjae Lee & Israel Temprano & Rajesh B. Jethwa & Anqi Wang & Holly Smith & Javier Carretero-González & Qilei Song & Clare P. Grey, 2020. "In situ NMR metrology reveals reaction mechanisms in redox flow batteries," Nature, Nature, vol. 579(7798), pages 224-228, March.
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