Farouq S. Mjalli

Bio: Farouq S. Mjalli is an academic researcher from Sultan Qaboos University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ionic liquid & Deep eutectic solvent. The author has an hindex of 44, co-authored 196 publications receiving 7778 citations. Previous affiliations of Farouq S. Mjalli include Jordan University of Science and Technology & University of Technology, Iraq.

Progress in Flow Battery Research and Development

Abstract: The past few decades have shown a rapid and continuous exhaustion of the available energy resources which may lead to serious energy global crises. Researchers have been focusing on developing new and renewable energy resources to meet the increasing fuel demand and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A surge of research effort is also being directed towards replacing fossil fuel based vehicles with hybrid and electric alternatives. Energy storage is now seen as a critical element in future "smart grid and electric vehicle" applications. Electrochemical energy storage systems offer the best combination of efficiency, cost and flexibility, with redox flow battery systems currently leading the way in this aspect. In this work, a panoramic overview is presented for the various redox flow battery systems and their hybrid alternatives. Relevant published work is reported and critically discussed. A comprehensive study of the available technologies is conducted in terms of technical aspects as well as economic and environmental consequences. Some of the flow battery limitations and technical challenges are also discussed and a range of further research opportunities are presented. Of the flow battery technologies that have been investigated, the all-vanadium redox flow battery has received the most attention and has shown most promise in various pre-commercial to commercial stationary applications to date, while new developments in hybrid redox fuel cells are promising to lead the way for future applications in mechanically and electrically "refuelable" electric vehicles.

Phosphonium-Based Ionic Liquids Analogues and Their Physical Properties

Abstract: New ionic liquids analogues, that is, deep eutectic solvents (DESs), have been successfully synthesized. These DESs have been synthesized by the reaction of phosphonium-based salts with different hydrogen bond donors. Many of these DESs have melting temperatures lower than 100 °C. Preliminary laboratory results showed that these DESs can be used in different applications, for example, electrochemical processes, separation of sugars, and so forth. Melting temperature, density, viscosity, pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen content of the novel phosphonium-based DESs were measured as a function of temperature. It was found that the type of the salt and hydrogen bond donor and the mole ratio of both compounds have a paramount effect on the studied properties.

Electrical Energy Storage for the Grid: A Battery of Choices

Abstract: The increasing interest in energy storage for the grid can be attributed to multiple factors, including the capital costs of managing peak demands, the investments needed for grid reliability, and the integration of renewable energy sources. Although existing energy storage is dominated by pumped hydroelectric, there is the recognition that battery systems can offer a number of high-value opportunities, provided that lower costs can be obtained. The battery systems reviewed here include sodium-sulfur batteries that are commercially available for grid applications, redox-flow batteries that offer low cost, and lithium-ion batteries whose development for commercial electronics and electric vehicles is being applied to grid storage.

Deep eutectic solvents: syntheses, properties and applications

Abstract: Within the framework of green chemistry, solvents occupy a strategic place. To be qualified as a green medium, these solvents have to meet different criteria such as availability, non-toxicity, biodegradability, recyclability, flammability, and low price among others. Up to now, the number of available green solvents are rather limited. Here we wish to discuss a new family of ionic fluids, so-called Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES), that are now rapidly emerging in the current literature. A DES is a fluid generally composed of two or three cheap and safe components that are capable of self-association, often through hydrogen bond interactions, to form a eutectic mixture with a melting point lower than that of each individual component. DESs are generally liquid at temperatures lower than 100 °C. These DESs exhibit similar physico-chemical properties to the traditionally used ionic liquids, while being much cheaper and environmentally friendlier. Owing to these remarkable advantages, DESs are now of growing interest in many fields of research. In this review, we report the major contributions of DESs in catalysis, organic synthesis, dissolution and extraction processes, electrochemistry and material chemistry. All works discussed in this review aim at demonstrating that DESs not only allow the design of eco-efficient processes but also open a straightforward access to new chemicals and materials.