Review of the Development of First‐Generation Redox Flow Batteries: Iron‐Chromium System

• Published in: ChemSusChem Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. e202101798 - n/a
• Main Authors: Sun, Chuanyu, Zhang, Huan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 10.01.2022
• Subjects: Bromine; Chromium; Electric Power Supplies; Electrodes; Electrolytes; Energy storage; Hydrogen evolution; Iron; iron-chromium redox flow battery; membranes; Oxidation-Reduction; Rechargeable batteries; Storage systems; System effectiveness; membranes; electrodes; iron-chromium redox flow battery; electrolytes; energy storage
• ISSN: 1864-5631; 1864-564X; 1864-564X
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202101798

The iron‐chromium redox flow battery (ICRFB) is considered the first true RFB and utilizes low‐cost, abundant iron and chromium chlorides as redox‐active materials, making it one of the most cost‐effective energy storage systems. ICRFBs were pioneered and studied extensively by NASA and Mitsui in Japan in the 1970–1980s, and extensive studies on ICRFBs have been carried out over the past few decades. In addition, ICRFB is considered to be one of the most promising directions for cost‐effective and large‐scale energy storage applications, as its cost can theoretically be lower than that of zinc‐bromine and all‐vanadium RFBs, giving it the potential for large‐scale promotion. With the resolution of problems such as hydrogen evolution and electrolyte intermixing, the ICRFB technology is moving out of the laboratory and striving for greater power and more stable industrialization requirements. This Review summarizes the history, development, and research status of key components (carbon‐based electrode, electrolyte, and membranes) in the ICRFB system, aiming to give a brief guide to researchers who are involved in the related subject. Let it flow: This is the first Review of the iron–chromium redox flow battery (ICRFB) system that is considered the first proposed true RFB. The history, development, and current research status of key components in the ICRFB system are summarized, and its working principle, battery performance, and cost are highlighted.