Enabling high rate capability, low internal resistance, and excellent cyclability for vanadium redox flow batteries utilizing ultrafast laser-structured graphite felt

• Published in: Electrochimica acta 2020-06, Vol.344 (C), p.136171, Article 136171
• Main Authors: Daugherty, Michael C., Hsieh, Chien-Te, Aaron, Doug S., Ashraf Gandomi, Yasser, Li, Jianlin, Zheng, Yijing, Pfleging, Wilhelm
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon; Charge transfer; Chemical reactions; Electrochemical analysis; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Electrochemical performance; Electrode design; Electrode polarization; Electrodes; ENERGY STORAGE; Graphite; Graphite felt; Laser ablation; Lasers; Porosity; Rechargeable batteries; Storage batteries; Synergistic effect; Transport properties; Ultrafast laser structuring; Ultrafast lasers; Vanadium; Vanadium redox flow battery; Wetting
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136171

The electrochemical performance of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) was enhanced via laser-patterned graphite felt (GF) electrodes. The laser-structured GF electrodes engineered via preparing a series of well-ordered microscopic channel structures with an average width of 200 μm, creating a three-dimensional carbon framework. The ultrafast laser patterning increased the porosity by 10%, as compared to pristine electrode. The analysis of the overpotential distribution using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the electrode polarization involving charge transfer and diffusion resistance is strongly alleviated with the aid of carbon micro-perforation. The advanced design of laser-structured GF electrode also exhibits high rate capability, low internal resistance, and excellent cyclability. The improved performance was attributed to the synergistic effect involving (i) high electrochemically active surface area for rapid electrochemical reactions (i.e., V(II)/V(III) and V(IV)/V(V) redox couples) and (ii) excellent transport properties for facile electron/ion/species transport. The micro-scale channels created with the laser-ablation technique act as capillary structures and enabled homogeneous and rapid wetting of GF electrodes as formulated with the classical Washburn equation. The VRFB equipped with the laser-structured GF electrodes delivered a high discharge capacity with exceptional capacity retention upon extended cycling (>84.9%). Accordingly, the design of laser-structured electrode paves the pathway towards finely tuning the electrode internal microstructure for improved cyclability, durability, and capacity retention in various electrochemical energy storage/conversion devices (e.g. all-vanadium redox flow batteries). [Display omitted] •Vanadium redox flow battery was assembled by laser-patterned graphite felt.•The laser patterning increased the porosity by 10%, as compared to pristine one.•The electrode polarization is strongly alleviated due to carbon micro-perforation.•High rate capability, low resistance, and excellent cyclability are achievable.•The enhancement was attributed to high surface area improved transport properties.