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"Study of Metal Hexacyanometalates as Solid-State Active Materials for Redox Mediated Flow Battery System"

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 1:00pm to 2:30pm

Advisor and Members Committee:

  • Prof. Patrick J Cappillino, Research Advisor and Committee member, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
  • Prof. Maricris Lodriguito Mayes, Dissertation Committee member, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
  • Prof. Ertan Agar, Dissertation committee member, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract:

“Study of Metal Hexacyanometalates as Solid-State Active Materials for Redox Mediated Flow Battery System”

The global rise in energy demand, coupled with concerns over greenhouse gas emissions, has accelerated the adoption of renewable energy, including wind and solar power, for grid‑scale deployment. However, the intermittent nature of these resources underscores the urgent need for scalable, long‑duration energy storage technologies capable of stabilizing renewable‑rich grids. Among emerging storage systems, redox flow batteries (RFBs) stand out due to their decoupled power and energy design, high scalability, and operational flexibility. Despite these advantages, the low energy density of liquid‑phase charge carriers often limits overall system performance. To address this challenge, an emerging strategy involves pairing immobile solid‑state active materials (SAMs) with soluble redox mediators (RMs), forming the basis of redox‑mediated flow battery (RMFB) systems. Using RM with a reduction potential closely matched to that of the SAM enables efficient electron exchange between the two species.

Metal hexacyanometalates (MHCMs) have gained significant attention as SAMs due to their ability to support flexible solid–liquid interactions. Their cyanide‑bridged coordination frameworks provide robust lattice structures capable of accommodating ion intercalation and deintercalation. Nevertheless, systematic studies on tuning the redox interactions between SAM–RM pairs remain scarce. Work in our lab aims to address this gap by performing quantitative spectroscopic analysis of the indirect electrochemical reaction (IER) between MHCM‑based SAMs and various RMs, with a focus on understanding and optimizing their redox behavior. The specific aims include:

  1. tuning the IER between cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoHCF) as the SAM and tetrabutylammonium vanadium‑bishydroxyiminodiacetate (TBA₂VBH) as the RM
  2. synthesizing and characterizing MHCMs with various transition metals in each of two discrete metal sites, followed by analysis of their electrochemistry
  3. evaluating the indirect electrochemical reactions of MHCMs with additional RMs.
  4. Using hexaflourophosphate salts of various alkali metal salt to examine the intercalation phenomenon of SAMs.

Zoom ID and Password:
Meeting ID: 91625022733?
Passcode: ZCtVSkU4UU8vTDZ5bGJiYmhjOE8wQT09

VIOL 210 : Virtual
Rachel White/Heather Blaser
508-999-8232/508-999-8587
Rwhite@umassd.edu
https://umassd.zoom.us/j/91625022733?

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