Chemically reduced graphene oxide paper as positive electrode for advanced Zn/Ce redox flow battery

Zn/Ce redox flow battery (ZRFB) is emerging as a promising technology to store large amount of energy economically and efficiently, wherein a highly efficient positive electrode with a continuous and fast electronic and ionic transportation path is urgently desired. The unique nanostructure of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) paper electrode is prepared by a simply chemical reduction method, which facilitates transference of the electron and Ce3+/Ce4+ at the electrolyte/electrode interface. Thus ZRFB exhibits superior extent of charge (81.0%) and energy efficiency (71.3%). The results show RGO paper is a good candidate for positive electrode of ZRFB. •The RGOC paper possesses good flexibility with a porous structure.•The C/O ratio of RGOC is different from that of RGOT.•The activity of RGOC towards Ce3+/Ce4+ is better than that of RGOT.