Mild pH-decoupling aqueous flow battery with practical pH recovery

Establishing a pH difference between the two electrolytes (pH decoupling) of an aqueous redox flow battery (ARFB) enables cell voltages exceeding the 1.23 V thermodynamic water-splitting window, but acid–base crossover penalizes efficiency and lifetime. Here we employ mildly acidic and mildly alkaline electrolytes to mitigate crossover, achieving high round-trip energy efficiency with open circuit voltage >1.7 V. We implemented an acid–base regeneration system to periodically restore electrolytes to their initial pH values. The combined system exhibited capacity fade rate <0.07% per day, round-trip energy efficiency >85% and approximately 99% Coulombic efficiency during stable operation for over a week. Cost analysis shows that the tolerance of acid–base crossover could be increased if the pH-decoupling ARFB achieved a higher voltage output and lower resistance. This work demonstrates principles for improving lifespan, rate capability and energy efficiency in high-voltage pH-decoupling ARFBs and pH recovery concepts applicable for pH-decoupling systems. Establishing pH differences in aqueous flow batteries widens their voltage window, but acid–base mixing shortens their lifespan. In this study, the authors introduced a pH recovery system to address crossover issues, ensuring long-lasting, high-voltage pH-decoupled flow batteries.