Redox-Active Aqueous Microgels for Energy Storage Applications

The search for new environmental-friendly materials for energy storage is ongoing. In the presented paper, we propose polymer microgels as a new class of redox-active colloids (RACs). The microgel stable colloids are perspective low-viscosity fluids for advanced flow batteries with high volumetric energy density. In this research, we describe the procedure for the anchoring of 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (4-amino-TEMPO) redox-active sites to the polymeric chains of water-soluble microgels based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-poly(acrylic acid) interpenetrating networks. Using cyclic voltammetry and EPR spectroscopy, we show that ca. 14% of 4-amino-TEMPO groups retain electroactive properties and demonstrate the reversible redox response. It allows achieving a stable capacity of 2.5 mAh/g, enabling the low-viscous catholyte with a capacity of more than 100 mAh/L.