<p>Catalysts are widely used to improve electrode reactions in static batteries. However, due to aqueous flow batteries utilizing large volumes of electrolytes, previously reported non-flowable solid-phase catalysts are inadequate for addressing challenges such as low conversion ratios and electrolyte failure, especially under low-temperature conditions. Herein, we develop functionalized carbon quantum dot–based colloidal catalytic electrolytes for Zn–Br flow batteries. This approach deviates from conventional catalyst particles anchored on electrodes, which functions both in-electrolyte and at-interface, enhancing interactions between Br-redox pairs and active sites to accelerate Br-based reaction kinetics and optimize low-temperature adaptability. Unlike common Zn–Br systems, those using highly stable carboxyl-functionalized carbon quantum dot catalytic electrolytes exhibit a substantial increase in power density to 389.88 mW·cm<sup>−2</sup>. Furthermore, Zn–Br systems incorporating this catalytic electrolyte show a working lifespan of &gt;1982 h (5000 cycles) at 100 mA·cm<sup>−2</sup> and maintain operation at 80 mA·cm<sup>−2</sup> with an energy efficiency of 82.4%. These systems can operate for 1920 h (2000 cycles; energy efficiency: 74.2%) at 40 mA·cm<sup>−2</sup> with minimal capacity decay at −20 °C, attributable to the rearranged hydrogen-bonding networks within catalytic electrolytes. The effectiveness of carbon quantum dot catalytic electrolytes is further validated across various functional groups (carboxyl and hydroxyl).</p>

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Catalytic electrolytes enable fast reaction kinetics and temperature adaptability for aqueous zinc-bromine flow batteries

  • Zhiquan Wei,
  • Ze Chen,
  • Yiqiao Wang,
  • Xinru Yang,
  • Dedi Li,
  • Zhuoxi Wu,
  • Shaoce Zhang,
  • Xintao Ma,
  • Hu Hong,
  • Yue Hou,
  • Zhaodong Huang,
  • Shixun Wang,
  • Yuwei Zhao,
  • Qing Li,
  • Haiming Lyu,
  • Chunyi Zhi

摘要

Catalysts are widely used to improve electrode reactions in static batteries. However, due to aqueous flow batteries utilizing large volumes of electrolytes, previously reported non-flowable solid-phase catalysts are inadequate for addressing challenges such as low conversion ratios and electrolyte failure, especially under low-temperature conditions. Herein, we develop functionalized carbon quantum dot–based colloidal catalytic electrolytes for Zn–Br flow batteries. This approach deviates from conventional catalyst particles anchored on electrodes, which functions both in-electrolyte and at-interface, enhancing interactions between Br-redox pairs and active sites to accelerate Br-based reaction kinetics and optimize low-temperature adaptability. Unlike common Zn–Br systems, those using highly stable carboxyl-functionalized carbon quantum dot catalytic electrolytes exhibit a substantial increase in power density to 389.88 mW·cm−2. Furthermore, Zn–Br systems incorporating this catalytic electrolyte show a working lifespan of >1982 h (5000 cycles) at 100 mA·cm−2 and maintain operation at 80 mA·cm−2 with an energy efficiency of 82.4%. These systems can operate for 1920 h (2000 cycles; energy efficiency: 74.2%) at 40 mA·cm−2 with minimal capacity decay at −20 °C, attributable to the rearranged hydrogen-bonding networks within catalytic electrolytes. The effectiveness of carbon quantum dot catalytic electrolytes is further validated across various functional groups (carboxyl and hydroxyl).