Desymmetrization of Viologen Anolytes Empowering Energy Dense, Ultra Stable Flow Batteries toward Long-Duration Energy Storage

Aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs) have been recognized as a promising technology for large-scale, long-duration energy storage of renewables (e.g., solar and wind) by overcoming their intermittence and fluctuation. However, simultaneous demonstration of high energy densities and stable cycling are still challenging for AORFBs. Herein, asymmetrically substituted sulfonate viologen molecular designs, e.g. (1-[3-sulfonatopropyl]-1′-[4-sulfonatobutane]-4,4′-bipyridinium (3,4-S₂V), as capacity dense, chemically stable anolytes for cation exchange AORFBs are presented. The robust cycling performance of 3,4-S₂V is confirmed using half-cell and full-cell flow battery studies at pH neutral conditions. The 3,4-S₂V based AORFB is demonstrated with a discharge capacity of 23.2 Ah L⁻¹ for 1700 cycles or 100 days without observing chemical degradation. Furthermore, a 3,4-S₂V/(NH₄)₄[Fe(CN)₆] AORFB with a discharge capacity of 259.9 mAh is demonstrated for 50 days of authentic energy storage for the first time with a total capacity retention of 97.77% or a temporal capacity retention rate of 99.955% per day, representing the most stable, longest cycled AORFB to date.