Can aqueous sulfur-based redox flow batteries be commercialized?

Aqueous sulfur-based redox flow batteries (SRFBs) are promising candidates for large-scale energy storage, yet the gap between the required and currently achievable performance has plagued their practical applications. Here, we propose several engineering strategies towards SRFB commercialization.

What is a rechargeable aqueous alkaline zinc–sulfur flow battery?

We demonstrate a rechargeable aqueous alkaline zinc–sulfur flow battery that comprises environmental materials zinc and sulfur as negative and positive active species.

Can a aqueous polysulfide flow battery meet future energy storage needs?

In this work, we demonstrate an ambient-temperature, air-breathing, aqueous polysulfide flow battery that exploits sulfur's intrinsic advantages, and show using techno-economic analyses that such an approach has the potential to meet future storage needs for renewable energy.

Do all aqueous batteries use sulfur?

Whereas nonaqueous lithium-sulfur 4, 5, 6 and high-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries 7 use sulfur as the cathode, an all-aqueous system must use sulfur as the anode material to preserve aqueous stability while reaching a meaningful cell voltage.

Which chemistry is used in air-breathing aqueous sulfur flow battery approach?

Curves for the present air-breathing aqueous sulfur flow battery approach using Na and Li chemistry are shown in green and gray, respectively. The chemical costs for Na and Li are shown as dashed lines.

Why do we use flow batteries?

Since both catholyte and anolyte are fluids, our electrochemical couples lend themselves to a flow battery design, which is also demonstrated. An attribute of flow batteries is the ability to independently size the power stack and chemical storage capacity to meet desired energy to power ratios.