In order to provide users with clean energy such as solar energy and wind energy, a reliable standby energy storage system is needed to provide electricity when sunlight or wind power is insufficient.
The solution to this problem may be to use excess solar and wind energy to store energy. Today, we are developing a compound that can provide significant storage capacity. This compound can provide excess energy in the event of insufficient sunlight and wind power. Store it for use. When converting stored energy into electrical energy, the oppositely charged chemical solution can be pumped to the solid electrode to generate electron exchange to provide electricity.
The key to this technology, called a redox flow battery, is to look for chemicals that can not only 'carry' enough charge but can be stored for a long time without degradation, thereby maximizing energy storage and power generation, and maximizing the Reduce the cost of charging the system.
Researchers at the University of Rochester, USA, collaborated with researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo and announced that they have developed a compound that is likely to change the pattern of energy storage.
The laboratory assistant professor of chemistry, Ellen Matson, described a metal oxide cluster that was developed in a paper published in the chemical top journal Chemicals Science (Chemical Science). It has very good electrochemical properties and its energy storage capacity is almost twice that of current electrochemical cell of redox flow battery.
The report's lead author, Lauren Van Gelder, a third-year Ph.D. student in the Matterson Laboratory, said: 'In the literature, the energy storage of polyoxometalates is very rare. In our research and development Before the results were introduced, there may be one or two examples, and the potential for these results has not really been realized.'
'This is actually an untapped area of molecular development,' added Matson.
Flow batteries for wind and solar energy
This metal oxide cluster was first developed in the laboratory of the German chemist Johann Spandl and studied its magnetic properties. Tests conducted by van Gore show that this compound can store electric charge Redox flow batteries, but not as stable as people expect.
However, Matson described 'simple molecular modification' by replacing ethanol-derived methanol salt clusters of compounds with alcohol-based oxides. The research team was able to expand the cluster's stable potential window, which could be stored more in the cell. Electrical energy.
Mattson said: 'This work is really cool. We can produce ethoxide and methoxide clusters by using methanol and ethanol. These two reagents are inexpensive, easy to obtain, and safe to use. The rest of the metal components And oxygen atoms are abundant elements of the earth. This system can be synthesized directly and efficiently. It is a brand-new direction for the development of charge carriers. We believe that this will set a new standard in the field of energy storage.
The electrochemical tests performed in this study used Mattson’s equipment and techniques used in the laboratory. Therefore, Timothy Cook, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Buffalo University, and the fourth grade of Cook's Laboratory Anjula Kosswattaarachchi, a graduate student, also participated in the study. Van Golder conducted training on testing equipment in Cook's lab and helped Kosvattarac to synthesize compounds.
The two research groups applied for funding from the National Science Foundation as part of an ongoing collaborative project to further refine the clusters used in commercial redox flow batteries.
Mattson emphasized the 'key role' played by Fangold in conducting preliminary tests and experiments on the cluster. 'As a third-year graduate student, she did an incredible job in promoting the lab's The research work has played an important role. ' Mattson said.
Last year, Mattson received a university biotechnology fund that enabled the lab to purchase the electrochemical devices needed for the study. Patrick Forrestal from Mattson Labs also participated in the study.
