Molecular Design for Redox Flow Batteries featuring Oligomeric Active Materials and Selective Polymer Membranes

Nearly a decade ago, we introduced the concept of pairing microporous polymer membranes and oligomeric active materials for cross-over free redox-flow batteries. Since then, the field has advanced designs of considerable efficacy and rigor. Yet, there is more to do as use-cases evolve from multi-hour to long-duration. Here, I will discuss outstanding challenges with respect to different components in the devices as well as their thoughtful integration toward meeting technical specifications for these emerging use-cases. Increasingly, synthetic advances are coming from detailed understanding of specific electro-physioproperties of membranes and active materials as well as emergent failure mechanisms, which present differently at different stages of the battery's useful life and and must be taken into account for there to be a credible pathway to commercialization and deployment.