Aqueous organic flow batteries (AOFBs) are a promising sustainable solution for storing renewable energy. They use organic redox-active molecules, which are widely available and environmentally friendly, making them a safer alternative to traditional energy storage systems. However, AOFBs have faced challenges such as low energy density and poor stability. A recent breakthrough by researchers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics has overcome these limitations. The key innovation is a new organic molecule called pyrene-4,5,9,10-tetraone-1-sulfonate (PTO-PTS), which enhances energy storage capacity and stability. PTO-PTS can store four electrons at a time, leading to a high theoretical electron concentration of 4.0 M, making AOFBs more practical for commercial use. The new molecule demonstrated impressive performance, maintaining stability across a wide range of temperatures and showing potential for real-world applications. This breakthrough has the potential to make AOFBs a key player in the transition to greener energy solutions, providing a more sustainable and efficient way to store power.
With its supercharged battery, this device can operate for an impressive 5,200 cycles, with maximum power reserved even at 100% charge capacity.
