Regaining Potential: Studies Concerning 2-Ferrocenylethyl Methacrylate, Its Polymers, and Application in Redox Flow Batteries

Abstract

A concise synthesis for the monomer 2-ferrocenylethyl methacrylate is presented. This versatile monomer can be homopolymerized to yield highly lipophilic, stimuli-responsive homopolymers and can also be used to further synthesize water-soluble copolymers. For the first time, the X-ray crystal structure of this monomer is shown. The copolymerization with two different ionic monomers was thoroughly investigated at various temperatures. Electrochemical investigations were performed with a well-established viologen to assess the viability of the new material for possible energy storage scenarios. Charge storage experiments at ambient and elevated temperature point toward a satisfying stability of the new materials, with charge recoveries of approximately 95%. The Coulombic efficiency of the materials was determined via galvanostatic cycling and was found to be above 99%, which is comparable to other suitable redox-active polymers for charge storage studies.

Analysis of Macromolecular Systems as Enabler for Energy and Life Science Applications

“…FFF demonstrates opportunities when considering cases where SEC appeared not suitable. [165,178,179] Fundamentally looking at redoxactive polymers makes us revisiting the polyelectrolyte effects that need to be understood particularly for linear polymers. [180] Branched polymers are studied to a lesser extent and changes in properties associated to salt concentration have been studied insufficiently.…”

Redox-Copolymers for Nanofiltration-Enabled Electrodialysis

“…Going forward to consistent desalination and accumulation, optimizing the retention time could potentially lower osmotic effects and enhance the long-term desalination performance. Despite stable redox activity throughout the 70 h operation and long-term stability observed in the redox-flow battery system, the redox-copolymer may still be susceptible to a possible failure mechanism of loss of its water-soluble moiety (METAC) under basic conditions. In the presence of a water-splitting reaction, trimethylammonium can be readily replaced by hydroxide or eliminated via Hofmann elimination .…”