Magnetic Cobalt Ferrite Nanocrystals For an Energy Storage Concentration Cell

Abstract

Abstract Energy‐storage concentration cells are based on the concentration gradient of redox‐active reactants; the increased entropy is transformed into electric energy as the concentration gradient reaches equilibrium between two half cells. A recyclable and flow‐controlled magnetic electrolyte concentration cell is now presented. The hybrid inorganic–organic nanocrystal‐based electrolyte, consisting of molecular redox‐active ligands adsorbed on the surface of magnetic nanocrystals, leads to a magnetic‐field‐driven concentration gradient of redox molecules. The energy storage performance of concentration cells is dictated by magnetic characteristics of cobalt ferrite nanocrystal carriers. The enhanced conductivity and kinetics of redox‐active electrolytes could further induce a sharp concentration gradient to improve the energy density and voltage switching of magnetic electrolyte concentration cells.