Materials Science and Engineering Program and Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Chem Soc Rev. 2018 Jan 2;47(1):69-103. doi: 10.1039/c7cs00569e.
With high scalability and independent control over energy and power, redox flow batteries (RFBs) stand out as an important large-scale energy storage system. However, the widespread application of conventional RFBs is limited by the uncompetitive performance, as well as the high cost and environmental concerns associated with the use of metal-based redox species. In consideration of advantageous features such as potentially low cost, vast molecular diversity, and highly tailorable properties, organic and organometallic molecules emerge as promising alternative electroactive species for building sustainable RFBs. This review presents a systematic molecular engineering scheme for designing these novel redox species. We provide detailed synthetic strategies for modifying the organic and organometallic redox species in terms of solubility, redox potential, and molecular size. Recent advances are then introduced covering the reaction mechanisms, specific functionalization methods, and electrochemical performances of redox species classified by their molecular structures. Finally, we conclude with an analysis of the current challenges and perspectives on future directions in this emerging research field.
具有高可扩展性和对能量与功率的独立控制能力，氧化还原液流电池 (redox flow batteries, RFBs) 作为一种重要的大规模储能系统脱颖而出。然而，传统 RFBs 的广泛应用受到其性能不佳的限制，同时金属基氧化还原物种的使用还存在成本高和环境问题。考虑到具有潜在低成本、丰富的分子多样性和高度可定制特性等优势，有机和有机金属分子成为构建可持续 RFBs 的有前途的替代电活性物质。本综述提出了一种用于设计这些新型氧化还原物种的系统分子工程方案。我们详细介绍了针对有机和有机金属氧化还原物种的合成策略，包括其在溶解性、氧化还原电位和分子尺寸方面的修饰。然后，我们介绍了按分子结构分类的氧化还原物种的反应机制、特定功能化方法和电化学性能的最新进展。最后，我们对这一新兴研究领域的当前挑战和未来方向进行了分析。
