Conference Publication
Enhancing Electrochemical Activity in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries using TiO2 NPs-Modified Graphite Felt
Author affiliations and roles
- 1Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- 2Center for Sustainability and Energy Technologies, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
台灣化學工程學會70週年年會暨國科會化學工程學門成果發表會／國際分子與生醫工程研討會 (2023).
Research topic: Redox Flow Batteries
Conference information
Abstract
In this research, novel TiO2 nanoparticle(NPs) are grafted onto graphite felt (GF), presenting an innovative electrode for all-vanadium redox flow batteries. This innovation aims to overcome the intrinsic limitations of pristine GF, namely its inadequate electrochemical activity and restricted surface area. The TiO2/GF composites were synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method, using a precursor solution with varying concentrations of C16H36O4Ti. High-quality TiO2 nanoparticles, ranging between 100-200 nm in diameter, were found to be uniformly dispersed across the GF surface. Electrochemical evaluations, including cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), revealed that the TiO2/GF electrode showcased enhanced electrochemical responsiveness to the V4+/V5+ redox reaction in comparison to pristine GF. Specifically, the optimal TiO2/GF demonstrated a boosted current density of 99.05 mA/cm2, a notable improvement from the 79.5 mA/cm2 observed for pristine GF. Additionally, EIS analysis highlighted a substantial reduction in charge transfer resistance (RCT) for the TiO2/GF electrode, plummeting to 1.0 Ω from the 5.6 Ω recorded for pristine GF. This remarkable electrochemical behavior of the TiO2/GF electrode in the V4+/V5+ redox reaction can be ascribed to the collaborative effect of the carbon nanofiber networks in GF—known for their high conductivity—and the electrocatalytic virtues of high quality TiO2 NPs. Such advancements suggest potential enhancements in the energy storage capabilities of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs).