A Tungsten Polyoxometalate Mediated Aqueous Redox Flow Battery with High Voltage of 2 V

As a promising stationary energy storage device, aqueous redox flow battery (ARFB) still faces the challenge of low voltage output, due to the limitation of the potential of water splitting (1.23 V theoretically). Herein, we present an ultra-low potential anolyte design by using Na substituted phosphotungstic acid (3Na-PW ₁₂ ) for an aqueous redox flow battery with the voltage output as high as 2.0 V. The 3Na-PW ₁₂ can store 5 electrons in the charging process and simultaneously capture Na ⁺ or protons from the dissociation of water, resulting in the increase of electrolyte pH to 11. Because of the high pH value, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is highly suppressed and the 3Na-PW ₁₂ is partially degraded into a lacunary structured PW ₁₁ with extremely low potential down to -1.1V (vs. SHE). After discharging, the captured protons are re-released into the solution, therefore, pH and the structure of 3Na-PW ₁₂ are recovered. Based on the cyclic pH change and self-regulation process of 3Na-PW ₁₂ in the charge and discharge process, the aqueous flow battery offered a high-power density of 200 mW cm ^-1 and 160 mW cm ^-1 coupled with Br ₂ /Br ^- and I ₂ /I ^- catholyte respectively.