Phenomenological observations of quinone-mediated zinc oxidation in an alkaline environment.

Redox-mediated electrochemistry is an area of growing interest, particularly in the context of energy storage. The development of such systems requires knowledge of underlying reaction mechanisms, which bear similarities to the processes that underpin corrosion and semiconductor electrochemistry. Herein we discuss an example system, quinone-mediated zinc oxidation in an alkaline environment, using knowledge from the corrosion and semiconductor fields to understand the phenomenological aspects of the reaction.

Toward a Mechanically Rechargeable Solid Fuel Flow Battery Based on Earth-Abundant Materials.

Metal-air batteries are a promising energy storage solution, but material limitations (e.g., metal passivation and low active material utilization) have stymied their adoption.

Synthesis and Characterization of Lithium-Conducting Composite Polymer-Ceramic Membranes for Use in Nonaqueous Redox Flow Batteries.

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are a burgeoning electrochemical platform for long-duration energy storage, but present embodiments are too expensive for broad adoption. Nonaqueous redox flow batteries (NAqRFBs) seek to reduce system costs by leveraging the large electrochemical stability window of organic solvents (>3 V) to operate at high cell voltages and to facilitate the use of redox couples that are incompatible with aqueous electrolytes. However, a key challenge for emerging nonaqueous chemistries is the lack of membranes/separators with suitable combinations of selectivity, conductivity, and stability.