In December 2025, a research team headed by Li Xianfeng from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, which is part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, achieved a significant breakthrough in the realm of bromine-based multi-electron transfer flow batteries. They pioneered a new bromine-based two-electron transfer reaction system. This innovation has not only successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the concept but also facilitated the scaling up of long-lifespan zinc-bromine flow batteries.

The system incorporates amine compounds as bromine scavengers. During the charging process, these scavengers transform the bromine (Br₂) produced into bromoamine compounds. This transformation leads to a substantial decrease in the bromine concentration within the electrolyte. As a result, the corrosion issues are significantly mitigated, and the battery's lifespan is extended.

In tests conducted on a 5 kW-scale system, the battery exhibited stable performance over more than 700 cycles. Its total operational lifespan surpassed 1,400 hours, and it maintained an energy efficiency of over 78%. The research findings related to this breakthrough were published in the prestigious journal Nature Energy.