Thread: Electrochemistry of charging batteries

In the case of oxidation reaction that needs to occur in a vanadium redox flow battery,
VO2++H2O -- VO2++e- +2H+
This reaction requires an input of energy in order to allow this reaction to occur, as VO2+ has a higher chemical energy than VO2+.
I want to know the energy supplied by charging electrons in the elections is exchanged to the chemicals.
I have been struggling with this concept for a while and any help would be much appreciated.
Many thanks.

In terms of what is going on in batteries, you need to consider both the oxidation and reduction half equations. From what you are saying (I haven't checked), this oxidation half reaction is endogonic, for the cell to be feasible it must be coupled to a reduction reaction that is more exergonic so the overall cell leads to energy production that can be used.

Thanks PhDemon, that helps a lot, I was also trying to understand what happens when you plug a battery into the grid, how does that energy become chemical energy?

In rechargeable batteries the oxidation and reduction reactions (which are just the transfer of electrons from the reducing agent to the oxidizing agent) are reversible. Electrical energy (which is basically just moving electrons) adds the energy needed to push the reaction in the reverse direction.