Bismuth Trioxide Modified Carbon Nanotubes as Negative Electrode Catalysts for all Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
Youqun Chu, Haixia Zhou, Huimin Zhao
Abstract
Bismuth trioxide modified carbon nanotubes (Bi 2 O 3 /CNTs) composite was fabricated by liquid phase deposition-calcinating method and used as electrocatalyst for V 2+/ V 3+ redox couple of all vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). The modification of Bi species at the surface of CNTs can significantly inhibit the hydrogen evolution reaction and enhance the electrochemical activity to the V 2+/ V 3+ redox reaction. The VRFB single cell with Bi 2 O 3 /CNTs modified graphite felt as negative electrode exhibits excellent energy storage performances, such as higher charge/discharge capacity and energy efficiency, indicating that the V 2+/ V 3+ redox reaction can be facilitated significantly by Bi 2 O 3 /MWCNTs composite.