Organic molecules as bifunctional electroactive materials for symmetric redox flow batteries: A mini review

Symmetric flow battery technology employs a single electroactive material as anolyte and catholyte. This helps evade cross-contamination issues during cycling. Therefore, symmetric organic redox flow batteries (ORFBs) simulating an all-vanadium redox flow battery provides a feasible pathway towards a high performance energy storage devices. Herein, representative bipolar/bifunctional redox active organic molecules (BROMs), recent status of aqueous and non-aqueous symmetric organic redox flow batteries are reviewed. Additionally, current challenges and potential future research directions are also discussed.