Carbon aerogel modified graphite felt as advanced electrodes for vanadium redox flow batteries

Carbon aerogel modified graphite felt is prepared as electrodes for vanadium redox flow batteries. Morphology and the nano-porous structure of the carbon-carbon composite electrode is characterized. Properties such as cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance and battery performance of the carbon-carbon composite electrodes are investigated. The results show that the specific surface area of the modified graphite felt is dramatically increased from 1.13 m2 g−1 to 57.16 m2 g−1. The charge transfer resistance is reduced from 1.84 Ω to 0.21 Ω and the energy efficiency of the unit cell equipped with the modified electrodes is increased by 32.66% at a high current density of 160 mA cm−2. [Display omitted] •Carbon aerogel modified graphite felt was prepared as advanced electrodes for VRFBs.•The specific surface area of the modified GF electrode was increased by 50 times.•The energy efficiency of the VRFB cell was significantly increased.•The carbon aerogel modified GF showed excellent cycling stability in VRFBs.