Quantifying concentration distributions in redox flow batteries with neutron radiography

Rémy Richard Jacquemond, Maxime van der Heijden, Emre Burak Boz, Eric Ricardo Carreón Ruiz, Katharine Virginia Greco, Jeffrey Adam Kowalski, Vanesa Muñoz Perales, Fikile Richard Brushett, Kitty Nijmeijer, Pierre Boillat and Antoni Forner-Cuenca ()
Additional contact information
Rémy Richard Jacquemond: Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513
Maxime van der Heijden: Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513
Emre Burak Boz: Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513
Eric Ricardo Carreón Ruiz: Paul Scherrer Institut
Katharine Virginia Greco: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Jeffrey Adam Kowalski: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Vanesa Muñoz Perales: Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
Fikile Richard Brushett: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Kitty Nijmeijer: P.O. Box 6336
Pierre Boillat: Paul Scherrer Institut
Antoni Forner-Cuenca: Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract The continued advancement of electrochemical technologies requires an increasingly detailed understanding of the microscopic processes that control their performance, inspiring the development of new multi-modal diagnostic techniques. Here, we introduce a neutron imaging approach to enable the quantification of spatial and temporal variations in species concentrations within an operating redox flow cell. Specifically, we leverage the high attenuation of redox-active organic materials (high hydrogen content) and supporting electrolytes (boron-containing) in solution and perform subtractive neutron imaging of active species and supporting electrolyte. To resolve the concentration profiles across the electrodes, we employ an in-plane imaging configuration and correlate the concentration profiles to cell performance with polarization experiments under different operating conditions. Finally, we use time-of-flight neutron imaging to deconvolute concentrations of active species and supporting electrolyte during operation. Using this approach, we evaluate the influence of cell polarity, voltage bias and flow rate on the concentration distribution within the flow cell and correlate these with the macroscopic performance, thus obtaining an unprecedented level of insight into reactive mass transport. Ultimately, this diagnostic technique can be applied to a range of (electro)chemical technologies and may accelerate the development of new materials and reactor designs.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50120-7

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