Graphite Felt Decorated with Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Nanocomposite as Cathode for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery

Fabricating electrodes with high electrocatalytic efficiency is crucial for the commercial feasibility of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). In this study, metal–organic framework-derived ZnO and Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> with a high specific surface area were successfu...

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Main Authors: Priya Lakshmanan, Chia-Hung Huang, Suba Devi Rengapillai, Yong-Song Chen, Wei-Ren Liu, Cheng-Liang Hsu, Sivakumar Marimuthu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Nanomaterials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/7/535
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author Priya Lakshmanan
Chia-Hung Huang
Suba Devi Rengapillai
Yong-Song Chen
Wei-Ren Liu
Cheng-Liang Hsu
Sivakumar Marimuthu
author_facet Priya Lakshmanan
Chia-Hung Huang
Suba Devi Rengapillai
Yong-Song Chen
Wei-Ren Liu
Cheng-Liang Hsu
Sivakumar Marimuthu
author_sort Priya Lakshmanan
collection DOAJ
description Fabricating electrodes with high electrocatalytic efficiency is crucial for the commercial feasibility of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). In this study, metal–organic framework-derived ZnO and Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> with a high specific surface area were successfully synthesized via high-energy ball milling. The nanocomposite material (ZnO-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) was prepared through ultrasonication and coated on the graphite felt using dip coating, serving as the positive electrode for the VRFB. These modified electrodes control polarization losses, leading to high voltage efficiency (VE) and energy efficiency (EE), even at high current densities. Consequently, the nanocomposite-modified electrode shows VE of 87% and EE of 84% at 50 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>, surpassing the performance of individual materials. The nanocomposite material retains its EE without degradation over 250 cycles at a current density of 150 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>. This enhanced performance is due to improved kinetics and reduced losses in the VO<sup>2+</sup>/VO<sub>2</sub><sup>+</sup> redox couple, enabled by the nanocomposite material.
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spelling doaj-art-aefab42e3f674596aa5dc8c43bfa9ffe2025-08-20T02:09:11ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-04-0115753510.3390/nano15070535Graphite Felt Decorated with Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Nanocomposite as Cathode for Vanadium Redox Flow BatteryPriya Lakshmanan0Chia-Hung Huang1Suba Devi Rengapillai2Yong-Song Chen3Wei-Ren Liu4Cheng-Liang Hsu5Sivakumar Marimuthu6#120, Energy Materials Lab, Department of Physics, Science Block, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, IndiaMetal Industries Research and Development Centre, Kaohsiung 81160, Taiwan#120, Energy Materials Lab, Department of Physics, Science Block, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Advanced Institute of Manufacturing with High-Tech Innovations, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi 621301, TaiwanDepartment of Chemical Engineering, R&D Center for Membrane Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, 200 Chung Pei Road, Taoyuan 32023, TaiwanMetal Industries Research and Development Centre, Kaohsiung 81160, Taiwan#120, Energy Materials Lab, Department of Physics, Science Block, Alagappa University, Karaikudi 630003, Tamil Nadu, IndiaFabricating electrodes with high electrocatalytic efficiency is crucial for the commercial feasibility of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). In this study, metal–organic framework-derived ZnO and Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> with a high specific surface area were successfully synthesized via high-energy ball milling. The nanocomposite material (ZnO-Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>) was prepared through ultrasonication and coated on the graphite felt using dip coating, serving as the positive electrode for the VRFB. These modified electrodes control polarization losses, leading to high voltage efficiency (VE) and energy efficiency (EE), even at high current densities. Consequently, the nanocomposite-modified electrode shows VE of 87% and EE of 84% at 50 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>, surpassing the performance of individual materials. The nanocomposite material retains its EE without degradation over 250 cycles at a current density of 150 mA/cm<sup>2</sup>. This enhanced performance is due to improved kinetics and reduced losses in the VO<sup>2+</sup>/VO<sub>2</sub><sup>+</sup> redox couple, enabled by the nanocomposite material.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/7/535electrocatalytic efficiencyenergy efficiencyelectrode modificationgraphite feltpolarization loss
spellingShingle Priya Lakshmanan
Chia-Hung Huang
Suba Devi Rengapillai
Yong-Song Chen
Wei-Ren Liu
Cheng-Liang Hsu
Sivakumar Marimuthu
Graphite Felt Decorated with Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Nanocomposite as Cathode for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
Nanomaterials
electrocatalytic efficiency
energy efficiency
electrode modification
graphite felt
polarization loss
title Graphite Felt Decorated with Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Nanocomposite as Cathode for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
title_full Graphite Felt Decorated with Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Nanocomposite as Cathode for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
title_fullStr Graphite Felt Decorated with Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Nanocomposite as Cathode for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
title_full_unstemmed Graphite Felt Decorated with Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Nanocomposite as Cathode for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
title_short Graphite Felt Decorated with Metal–Organic Framework-Derived Nanocomposite as Cathode for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
title_sort graphite felt decorated with metal organic framework derived nanocomposite as cathode for vanadium redox flow battery
topic electrocatalytic efficiency
energy efficiency
electrode modification
graphite felt
polarization loss
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/7/535
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AT subadevirengapillai graphitefeltdecoratedwithmetalorganicframeworkderivednanocompositeascathodeforvanadiumredoxflowbattery
AT yongsongchen graphitefeltdecoratedwithmetalorganicframeworkderivednanocompositeascathodeforvanadiumredoxflowbattery
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AT chenglianghsu graphitefeltdecoratedwithmetalorganicframeworkderivednanocompositeascathodeforvanadiumredoxflowbattery
AT sivakumarmarimuthu graphitefeltdecoratedwithmetalorganicframeworkderivednanocompositeascathodeforvanadiumredoxflowbattery