November 13, 2023 12:00 pm
November 13, 2023 1:15 pm
Ion Management and Electron Transfer in Electrochemical Energy Storage
Zhifei Yan
Harvard University
Electrochemistry is at the heart of two growing research areas: renewable energy storage and electrochemical organic synthesis. An electrochemical reaction comprises two fundamental components: ion transport and electron transfer. In this presentation, I will begin by discussing our efforts related to ion management in bipolar membrane (BPM)-based CO2 electrolyzers. We’ve developed analytical tools to investigate the microenvironments at the BPM surface, which influence the efficiency of CO2-to-CO conversion. I then explored the utility of BPM in a reversible acid-base redox flow battery. The junction potential across the BPM amplified the battery potential and power density, compared to its monopolar counterpart. Lastly, I will share our latest advancements in understanding the kinetics of electron transfer during the electrochemical oxidation of carbonate species in nonaqueous environments. This understanding holds importance for alkaline electrolyzers and metal-air batteries.