Application of high‐performance hydrocarbon‐type sulfonated polyethersulfone for vanadium redox‐flow battery. (14th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ohira, Akihiro; Sakata, Wakako; Ishida, Erika; Mitsuru, Tomonori; Sato, Yukari
• Is Part Of: International journal of energy research. Volume 45:Number 13(2021)
• Page Start: 19405
• Page End: 19412
• Publication Date: 2021-07-14
• Subjects: durability -- energy storage -- high molecular weight -- polymer electrolyte membrane -- sulfonated polyethersulfone -- vanadium redox‐flow battery; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1002/er.7031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-907X

Abstract

Summary: The application of hydrocarbon‐based polymer electrolyte membranes as an alternative to Nafion membranes for vanadium redox‐flow batteries (VRFBs) has been investigated. Ionic conductivity measurements and the crossover characteristics of vanadyl ions (VO 2+ ), as well as durability testing against V 5+ in H2 SO4 solution, were performed to investigate the applicability of sulfonated poly(ethersulfone) (S‐PES) membranes with high molecular weight to VRFB. The diffusion coefficient of V 4+ in S‐PES was lower than that in Nafion, and the ionic conductivity was comparable to that of Nafion in S‐PES with an ion‐exchange capacity (IEC) of 1.5 meq/g. A durability evaluation of V 5+ with high oxidizing power indicated that it was extremely stable compared to the sulfonated poly(etheretherketone). It was clarified that by setting the IEC to an appropriately high value and reducing the membrane thickness, the membrane characteristics can be made comparable to those of Nafion. Finally, a VRFB test was performed using S‐PES with controlled IEC and membrane thickness, whereby the high molecular weight S‐PES was shown to have relatively good performance comparable to Nafion. Abstract : The relatively high molecular weight S‐PES that was post‐sulfonated under optimized conditions exhibits superior durability and VRFB performance comparable to that of Nafion.