Advanced porous membranes with slit-like selective layer for flow battery. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qiao, Lin; Zhang, Huamin; Lu, Wenjing; Xiao, Chuanhai; Fu, Qiang; Li, Xianfeng; Vankelecom, Ivo F.J.
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 54(2018)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 81
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Vanadium flow battery -- Porous membranes -- Slit-like selective layer -- Distribution of hydrophilic/hydrophobic region; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.10.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: An advanced porous membrane containing slit-like selective layer on its top surface is designed and prepared for flow battery application. The structure is realized by regulating the parameters during membrane formation process. The porous membrane exhibits a thick skin layer with narrow slits and sponge-like support layer in the cross-section. The thick and comparatively hydrophobic skin layer hinders the passage of vanadium ions. Meanwhile, the slit structure and comparatively hydrophilic support layer facilitates the transport of protons. The resulting poly(ether sulfone) (PES)/sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) porous membrane containing slit-like selective layer achieves an excellent balance between ion selectivity and proton conductivity, resulting in a columbic efficiency of 98.5%, a voltage efficiency of 91.7%, and an energy efficiency of 90.4% at 80 mA cm −2, which is much higher than a vanadium flow battery (VFB) with the commercial Nafion 115. Therefore, this paper provides a simple and economical method to develop high-performance, low-cost membranes for VFB applications. Graphical abstract: A porous PES/SPEEK membrane with slit-like selective layer is designed and fabricated for flow battery application. Highlights: A porous membrane with slit-like selective layer is designed and fabricated. A proper distribution of hydrophilic/hydrophobic region in resultant membrane is achieved. The resultant membrane shows a perfect combination of ion selectivity and conductivity. A vanadium flow battery assembled with the resultant membrane exhibited excellent performance.