A High-Energy-Density Multiple Redox Semi-Solid-Liquid Flow Battery

A new concept of multiple redox semi-solid-liquid (MRSSL) flow battery that takes advantage of active materials in both liquid and solid phases, is proposed and demonstrated. Liquid lithium iodide (LiI) electrolyte and solid sulfur/carbon (S/C) composite, forming LiI-S/C MRSSL catholyte, are employed to demonstrate this concept. Record volumetric capacity (550 Ah L-1 catholyte) is achieved using highly concentrated and synergistic multiple redox reactions of LiI and sulfur. The liquid LiI electrolyte is found to increase the reversible volumetric capacity of the catholyte, improve the electrochemical utilization of the S/C composite, and reduce the viscosity of catholyte. A continuous flow test is demonstrated and the influence of the flow rate on the flow battery performance is discussed. The MRSSL flow battery concept transforms inactive component into bi-functional active species and creates synergistic interactions between multiple redox couples, offering a new direction and wide-open opportunities to develop high-energy-density flow batteries.