Redox flow batteries offer a potential solution to an increase in renewable energy generation on the grid by offering long-term, large-scale storage and regulation of power. However, they are currently un- derutilised...Redox flow batteries offer a potential solution to an increase in renewable energy generation on the grid by offering long-term, large-scale storage and regulation of power. However, they are currently un- derutilised due to cost and performance issues, many of which are linked to the microstructure of the porous carbon electrodes used. Here, for the first time, we offer a detailed study of the in situ effects of compression on a commercially available carbon felt electrode. Visualisation of electrode structure us- ing X-ray computed tomography shows the non-linear way that these materials compress and various metrics are used to elucidate the changes in porosity, pore size distribution and tortuosity factor under compressions from 0%-90%.展开更多
Electrospinning has been proven as a highly versatile fabrication method for producing nano-structured fibres with controllable morphology,of both the fibres themselves and the void structure of the mats.Additionally,...Electrospinning has been proven as a highly versatile fabrication method for producing nano-structured fibres with controllable morphology,of both the fibres themselves and the void structure of the mats.Additionally,it is possible to use heteroatom doped polymers or to include catalytic precursors in the electrospinning solution to control the surface properties of the fibres.These factors make it an ideal method for the production of electrodes and flow media for a variety of electrochemical devices,enabling reduction in mass transport and activation overpotentials and therefore increasing efficiency.Moreover,the use of biomass as a polymer source has recently gained attention for the ability to embed sustainable principles in the materials of electrochemical devices,complementing their ability to allow an increase in the use of renewable electricity via their application.In this review,the historical and recent developments of electrospun materials for application in redox flow batteries,fuel cells,metal air batteries and supercapacitors are thoroughly reviewed,including an overview of the electrospinning process and a guide to best practice.Finally,we provide an outlook for the emerging use of this process in the field of electrochemical energy devices with the hope that the combination of tailored microstructure,surface functionality and computer modelling will herald a new era of bespoke functional materials that can significantly improve the performance of the devices in which they are used.展开更多
基金support from the EPSRC under grants EP/L014289/1 EP/N032888/1 and EP/M014045/1the STFC Global Challenges Network in Batteries and Electrochemical Energy Devices under the grant ST/N002385/1 for facilitation of travelfunding from the Royal Academy of Engineering
文摘Redox flow batteries offer a potential solution to an increase in renewable energy generation on the grid by offering long-term, large-scale storage and regulation of power. However, they are currently un- derutilised due to cost and performance issues, many of which are linked to the microstructure of the porous carbon electrodes used. Here, for the first time, we offer a detailed study of the in situ effects of compression on a commercially available carbon felt electrode. Visualisation of electrode structure us- ing X-ray computed tomography shows the non-linear way that these materials compress and various metrics are used to elucidate the changes in porosity, pore size distribution and tortuosity factor under compressions from 0%-90%.
文摘Electrospinning has been proven as a highly versatile fabrication method for producing nano-structured fibres with controllable morphology,of both the fibres themselves and the void structure of the mats.Additionally,it is possible to use heteroatom doped polymers or to include catalytic precursors in the electrospinning solution to control the surface properties of the fibres.These factors make it an ideal method for the production of electrodes and flow media for a variety of electrochemical devices,enabling reduction in mass transport and activation overpotentials and therefore increasing efficiency.Moreover,the use of biomass as a polymer source has recently gained attention for the ability to embed sustainable principles in the materials of electrochemical devices,complementing their ability to allow an increase in the use of renewable electricity via their application.In this review,the historical and recent developments of electrospun materials for application in redox flow batteries,fuel cells,metal air batteries and supercapacitors are thoroughly reviewed,including an overview of the electrospinning process and a guide to best practice.Finally,we provide an outlook for the emerging use of this process in the field of electrochemical energy devices with the hope that the combination of tailored microstructure,surface functionality and computer modelling will herald a new era of bespoke functional materials that can significantly improve the performance of the devices in which they are used.
