Zinc - bromine flow batteries (ZBFBs) have emerged as promising candidates for large - scale stationary energy storage, owing to their appealing features such as high theoretical energy density (440 Wh/kg), cost - effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. In recent years, significant technological advancements have been witnessed in this field.

　　One of the major focuses has been on improving electrode materials. Traditional graphite felt electrodes often suffer from low electrochemical activity for the bromine redox reaction. However, recent research has explored the use of modified electrodes. For instance, Indian researchers at the Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI) developed a graphite felt (GF) supported platinum - nickel (Pt - Ni) bimetallic alloy - based electrode. By depositing a heat - treated nickel - rich Pt - Ni coating on the graphite felt, they achieved a remarkable power density of around 1,550 mW cm⁻² in the flow cell. This was a significant improvement compared to the bare GF - based flow cell, which had a power density of 1260 mW cm⁻². The enhanced performance can be attributed to the high electro - catalytic nature of the heat - treated Ni - rich Pt - Ni coating, which promotes faster redox reactions.

　　Another area of progress is in addressing the challenges related to the electrolyte. The bromine - based electrolyte in ZBFBs has some drawbacks, such as the formation of polybromide ions, which can lead to self - discharge and reduced efficiency. To mitigate this, new electrolyte additives and formulations are being investigated. Some studies have shown that adding certain organic compounds to the electrolyte can suppress the formation of polybromide ions and improve the stability of the electrolyte. Additionally, efforts are being made to develop more efficient ways to manage the bromine - related reactions, such as using membrane - based separation techniques to prevent the crossover of bromine species between the positive and negative electrodes.

　　Separator technology has also seen advancements. The separator in ZBFBs plays a crucial role in preventing the mixing of the zinc - containing negative electrolyte and the bromine - containing positive electrolyte while allowing the passage of ions. New materials with high ion conductivity and excellent chemical stability are being developed for separators. For example, some researchers are exploring the use of composite membranes made of polymers and inorganic nanoparticles. These membranes can potentially offer better resistance to the corrosive bromine environment and improve the overall performance and lifespan of the ZBFB.

　　Furthermore, in terms of system design, more compact and modular designs are being developed to make ZBFBs more suitable for different applications, from small - scale residential energy storage to large - scale grid - connected energy storage systems. Overall, the continuous technological progress in zinc - bromine flow batteries is bringing them closer to widespread commercial adoption and a more significant role in the global energy storage landscape.

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