Catalytic electrolytes enable fast reaction kinetics and temperature adaptability for aqueous zinc-bromine flow batteries

Zhiquan Wei, Ze Chen, Yiqiao Wang, Xinru Yang, Dedi Li, Zhuoxi Wu, Shaoce Zhang, Xintao Ma, Hu Hong, Yue Hou, Zhaodong Huang, Shixun Wang, Yuwei Zhao, Qing Li, Haiming Lyu () and Chunyi Zhi ()
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Zhiquan Wei: City University of Hong Kong
Ze Chen: Lingnan University
Yiqiao Wang: City University of Hong Kong
Xinru Yang: City University of Hong Kong
Dedi Li: City University of Hong Kong
Zhuoxi Wu: City University of Hong Kong
Shaoce Zhang: City University of Hong Kong
Xintao Ma: City University of Hong Kong
Hu Hong: City University of Hong Kong
Yue Hou: City University of Hong Kong
Zhaodong Huang: City University of Hong Kong
Shixun Wang: City University of Hong Kong
Yuwei Zhao: City University of Hong Kong
Qing Li: University of Macau
Haiming Lyu: City University of Hong Kong
Chunyi Zhi: City University of Hong Kong

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Catalysts are widely used to improve electrode reactions in static batteries. However, due to aqueous flow batteries utilizing large volumes of electrolytes, previously reported non-flowable solid-phase catalysts are inadequate for addressing challenges such as low conversion ratios and electrolyte failure, especially under low-temperature conditions. Herein, we develop functionalized carbon quantum dot–based colloidal catalytic electrolytes for Zn–Br flow batteries. This approach deviates from conventional catalyst particles anchored on electrodes, which functions both in-electrolyte and at-interface, enhancing interactions between Br-redox pairs and active sites to accelerate Br-based reaction kinetics and optimize low-temperature adaptability. Unlike common Zn–Br systems, those using highly stable carboxyl-functionalized carbon quantum dot catalytic electrolytes exhibit a substantial increase in power density to 389.88 mW·cm−2. Furthermore, Zn–Br systems incorporating this catalytic electrolyte show a working lifespan of >1982 h (5000 cycles) at 100 mA·cm−2 and maintain operation at 80 mA·cm−2 with an energy efficiency of 82.4%. These systems can operate for 1920 h (2000 cycles; energy efficiency: 74.2%) at 40 mA·cm−2 with minimal capacity decay at −20 °C, attributable to the rearranged hydrogen-bonding networks within catalytic electrolytes. The effectiveness of carbon quantum dot catalytic electrolytes is further validated across various functional groups (carboxyl and hydroxyl).

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65047-w

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