Abstract: Ion-conductive membranes composed of glassy organic frameworks are provided. Also provided are devices incorporating the ion-conductive membranes and methods of making the ion-conductive membranes. The glassy organic framework membranes can be synthesized from nitrile- and/or acetyl-group containing monomers using thermally controlled, step-wise nitrile and/or acetyl trimerization reactions and film casting techniques.

Abstract: Amphiphilic complexing agents for use in electrolyte solutions are provided. The complexing agents include at least one soft ionic group covalently bonded to at least one hard ionic group or polyether chain. The soft ionic group couples with soft, oppositely charged ionic redox species in an electrolyte solution, and the hard ionic groups or polyethylene chains render the complexes formed by the complexing agents and ionic redox species soluble in the electrolyte solution. The size of the complex formed by the coupling of the amphiphilic complexing agent to the soft ionic redox species is substantially larger than the size of the soft ionic redox species alone and, as a result, electrochemical cells that include the amphiphilic complexing agents in an electrolyte solution have less membrane crossover than analogous electrochemical cells that do not include the amphiphilic complexing agents.

Abstract: Ionic cyclic nitroxyl radical oligomers, methods of making the ionic cyclic nitroxyl radical oligomers, and electrochemical cells, such as aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs) that use the ionic nitroxyl radical oligomers as catholytes are provided. The oligomers are larger than individual cyclic nitroxyl radical molecules, but maintain a high density nitroxyl radical groups within the molecule. As a result, when the oligomers are used as catholytes in an AORFB, they are able to reduce catholyte permeation through the ion-conducting membrane, while providing a high volumetric capacity and cycling stability.

Abstract: Pyridinium derivatives, methods of making the pyridinium derivatives, and electrochemical cells that use the pyridinium derivatives as anolytes are provided. The pyridinium derivatives have a redox core with two or more pyridinium groups and substituents at pyridinium ring nitrogen atoms. The pyridinium derivatives can be made by reacting pyridyl reactant molecules having two or more pyridyl groups with water-soluble derivatizing reactant molecules via a hydrothermal synthesis.