Kendra Hagey is a Chemical Engineering student at University of Michigan…

Linked Donor-Acceptor Compounds for use in Symmetric Non-Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries 

Kendra Hagey 

Dr. Thomas Guarr 

Organic Chemistry Storage Laboratory at Michigan State Bioeconomy Institute 

As the need for renewable energy grows, inexpensive and reliable grid storage is necessary to meet the energy demand and stabilize the grid against the intermittency of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Non-aqueous redox flow batteries offer a higher cell voltage than aqueous flow batteries, as the latter are limited by the narrow potential window of water. However, non-aqueous redox flow batteries face other challenges such as reduced conductivity, higher electrolyte cost, and low solubility. Linking the anolyte and the catholyte together in a symmetric system eliminates the need for a costly ion selective membrane and enables the use of a simple porous membrane to facilitate ion transfer. Various donor-acceptor compounds have been synthesized and characterized using mass spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. Preliminary tests were conducted to determine electrochemical properties, stability, and solubility. 

This research was supported by Lakeshore Advantage. 

It was a great summer Kendra.  Keep in touch while you continue your studies at UMich.