High-performance Porous Electrodes for Flow Batteries: Improvements of Specific Surface Areas and Reaction Kinetics

Electrodes, which offer sites for mass transfer and redox reactions, play a crucial role in determining the energy efficiencies and power densities of redox flow batteries. This review focuses on various approaches to enhancing electrode performance, particularly the methods of surface etching and catalyst deposition, as well as some other advanced strategies for regulating electrode surface properties. These approaches aim to increase active sites and enhance kinetics for the redox reactions, which are crucial for elevating power density and electrolyte utilization, eventually determining the performance of the flow battery. Highlighting the need for interdisciplinary research, this mini-review suggests that future advancements in electrode design will significantly impact the commercial viability and adoption of redox flow batteries in sustainable energy storage solutions.