INS6-1054
Molecular Engineering in Energy Storage Systems
Topic
S6. Emerging Polymer and Hybrid Materials for Advanced Energy Storage and Conversion
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
11:10 - 11:35
Room 311 & 312
Session Chairs
Ji Eon KWON
Presenter(s)
Pan Wang (Westlake University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs) have emerged as a secure and cost-effective technology for large-scale energy storage. By using non-flammable water and redox-active organic materials synthesized from abundantly available elements, AORFBs provide a sustainable alternative to lithium and vanadium batteries, which rely on limited material resources. The key materials in a flow battery system, including redox-active energy storage materials and ion exchange membranes, account for a substantial portion of the total cost. The development of energy storage materials with high aqueous solubility and chemical stability, along with membranes that exhibit both high conductivity and selectivity, is essential for advancing high-performance electrochemical devices. We developed three main strategies to design highly water-soluble, stable organic energy storage materials for both positive and negative electrolytes, enabling long-term cycling in high energy density AORFBs. These effective strategies include modulating molecular polarity, tailoring side reaction energy barriers, and enhancing electron transfer reversibility through molecular engineering. Moreover, from functional small molecules to polymeric materials, we are advancing the development of polymer membranes with high ion conductivity and low permeability towards energy storage materials, thereby enabling high-performance AORFB systems with high energy efficiency and long lifetime.
