A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Evaluating Reaction Kinetics Between Solid Booster and Dissolved Active Species in Redox‐Mediated Flow Batteries Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy;




AuthorsSantana Santos, Carla; Jiyane, Nomnotho; Quast, Thomas; Ibanez, Maria; Rubio-Presa, Ruben; Peljo, Pekka; Schuhmann, Wolfgang

PublisherWiley

Publication year2026

Journal: Batteries & Supercaps

Article numbere70303

Volume9

Issue5

eISSN2566-6223

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1002/batt.70303

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1002/batt.70303

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/523753980

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

Redox-mediated flow batteries boost energy density by utilizing dissolved redox species as charge carriers for solid charge-storage materials. This strategy strongly depends on the thermodynamics and kinetics between the solid booster and dissolved redox species. Conventional electrochemical methods often convolute intrinsic reactivity with mass transport effects, introducing complexity in determining limiting steps. We propose a strategy that confines solid boosters within recessed microelectrodes and employs scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to estimate reaction kinetics between booster and dissolved active redox species. Confining the solid booster in the recessed microelectrode overcomes mass transport limitations of dissolved redox species and enables controlled polarization of the booster material, allowing deconvolution of key rate-determining factors. As an initial model system, Prussian blue-ferricyanide/ferrocyanide [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- was used as solid booster and dissolved redox active species, respectively. The methodology was further explored for copper hexacyanoferrate with N,N,N-2,2,6,6-heptamethylpiperidinyl oxy-4-ammonium chloride and nickel hydroxide with [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- and extended to Mn-based Prussian blue analogues in combination with organic redox species. Our results demonstrate that SECM coupled with the proposed recessed microelectrode strategy provides a powerful platform to disentangle interfacial kinetics and guide the rational design of solid booster-dissolved redox species and electrolytes for high-performance redox-mediated flow batteries.



Keywords:
microelectrochemistryRate constantrecessed microelectroderedox-mediated flow batteriesredox targeting flow batteryscanning electrochemical microscopysolid booster

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Funding information in the publication
The authors acknowledge funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme- European Innovation Council (EIC) under the grant agreement No 101046742 (MeBattery). P.P. acknowledges the funding from the European Research Council through a Starting Grant (agreement no. 950038). Dr. Mahdi Moghaddam, University of Turku, is acknowledged for providing the CuHCF, and Prof. Hubert Girault, EPFL, is acknowledged for providing the TEMPTMA.


Last updated on 04/06/2026 08:12:27 AM