Post #2068673

2026-04-30 13:02 UTC

@kirk I was wondering whether the novel "molecular shield" chemistry hailed in the article was described in the paper in adequate detail to be reproduced by others. Indeed I had DIY tests in mind, but, as it turns out, that is not the only hurdle one would have to overcome in trying to replicate their results.

Replies (3)

@kirk@social.coop 2026-04-30 13:07

@65dBnoise the synthesis was in the Supplementary Information (again, a pet peeve for me, how to make the chemical should go in the main paper and be peer-reviewed if you ask me...) and it's this: "4-hydroxyethylpiperazine ethanesulfonic acid (AR, 99%, HPF) ... 3-(bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino)-2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonic acid (AR, 97%, BHS) ... Preparation of [Fe(HPF)BHS]4- electrolytes Adding 21.62 g (0.08 mol) FeCl3·6H2O into 200 mL of DIW, and stirring for 2 h. Subsequently, 30.50 g (0.128 mol) of HPF was added to the mix and stirred for 2 h, then dissolved 15.56 g (0.064 mol) of BHS in the solution and under 12 h vigorous stirring in N2 atmosphere. Brown product was obtained. Then, 16.00 g (2 mol) of NaOH and 22.44 g (2 mol) of KOH were added into the mixture solution and stirred for 24 h. " Then they go on to verify it with NMR and other techniques. This would be easy for a proper chemistry lab.

Open ##2068674
@kirk@social.coop 2026-04-30 13:07

@65dBnoise then for the cell test: "S1.5 Flow cell tests Nafion membranes were first treated with 5% H2O2 solution at 80 °C for 1 h to eliminate impurities. Subsequently, the membranes were transferred to 5% H2SO4 and incubated at the same temperature for another 1 h. Finally, the H-type Nafion was converted to the K-type by immersion in 1 mol/L KOH aqueous solution at 80 °C for 1 h. AIFB tests were performed using a home-made cell containing carbon felt electrodes (square cuboid 70 × 40 × 3 mm with 95.5% porosity) with a geometrical surface area of 28 cm2, composite graphite current collectors and ion-exchange membrane (Nafion 212). The catholyte (20.0 mL) and anolyte (20.0 mL) were pumped at a flow rate of 100.0 mL min-1. The charge process was limited by a charge capacity of 65% of the theoretical capacity or cut-off voltage of 1.65 V to avoid overcharge and the side reaction. The discharge cut-off voltage is 0 5 V, which makes the battery discharge completely. "

Open ##2068675
@kirk@social.coop 2026-04-30 13:10

@65dBnoise it's cool work ultimately though. If I had to pick an asymmetric RFB approach, I'd definitely pick iron-centered ligand engineering approaches over, say, all-organic approaches.

Open ##2068677