High-performance free-standing electrospun electrodes based on sustainable materials for redox flow batteries

Sustainable electrode materials are critical for scalable redox flow batteries (RFBs). Here, we report a high-performance electrospun carbon electrode derived from polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) that eliminates the need for toxic solvents and complex processing associated with conventional polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based electrodes. Using ethanol as a benign solvent, highly porous carbon nanofiber electrodes were fabricated via electrospinning followed by an optimized three-step thermal treatment. The resulting fibers ( diameter) exhibit tunable conductivity, reaching a through-plane value of ∼ at a carbonization temperature of . When directly integrated as both anode and cathode in a redox flow cell, the electrodes deliver a peak power density of a current density of as well as an energy efficiency of at 8 , comparable to those of PAN-derived electrodes. These results demonstrate a low-cost, scalable, and environmentally benign pathway for high-performance RFB electrodes without binders or supporting substrates. • A high-performance free-standing electrode was prepared through the electrospinning of sustainable precursor materials • The electrospun PVP-based electrodes can be directly employed as both anodes and cathodes in redox flow batteries • The PVP derived electrodes showed performance comparable to that of PAN • This efficient carbon electrode offers a viable alternative to conventional electrodes fabricated from costly and harmful materials