Anion-Insertion-Assisted Iron Anode Redox for Rechargeable Batteries

Jagadeesan, Sathya Narayanan

Etd

Anion-Insertion-Assisted Iron Anode Redox for Rechargeable Batteries

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Stationary batteries for electric grid applications are pivotal to implementing renewable energy, aiming towards a net-zero carbon economy. An electric grid accommodates fluctuating energy demand by storing electricity from solar panels or wind turbines during peak production. Lithium-ion batteries based on intercalation chemistry have been widely used for such applications. However, high cost and safety concerns from the flammable organic electrolytes and limited reserves of critical materials such as lithium and cobalt impede their large-scale implementations in stationary storage. Meanwhile, iron (Fe) is a suitable candidate for battery electrodes due to its low cost, safety, and excellent theoretical properties. However, owing to parasitic hydrogen evolution during charge and electrochemically inert iron oxide (Fe3O4) formation during discharge, the energy-efficient and reversible alkaline iron battery remains unattainable. My research aims to understand and address these challenges by introducing new pathways for an efficient Fe2+/Fe3+ redox couples through the following methods – (i) electrolyte additives to modify the electrode-electrolyte interactions, enhancing the charging efficiency; (ii) anion-intercalation to improve the Fe2+/Fe3+ conversion and to enhance structural stability of the electrode. Such a fundamental understanding of iron redox paves the way for repurposing and utilizing scrapped rust for a lower cost and safer alternative to conventional energy storage devices.

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