Issue 2, 2022

A sulfonated polyethylene–styrene cation exchange membrane: a potential separator material in vanadium redox flow battery applications

Abstract

We report on the synthesis and characterization of a polyethylene–styrene–divinylbenzene-based interpolymer cation exchange membrane (ICEM) and its applicability as a separator in a vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). The ICEM preparation involved radical co-polymerization of styrene–divinylbenzene in molten polyethylene and then blow film extrusion and sulfonation using chlorosulfonic acid. The crossover of vanadium ions across ICEM was studied in a charge balanced two-compartment cell and its efficacy was comparable to that of Nafion®117. Further study evaluated the chemical, dimensional, and mechanical stability in a highly oxidative environment of 2.1 M H2SO4 and 1.6 M VO2+ ions over 30 days at 50 °C. The VRFB performance exhibited 95% Coulombic, 63% energy, and 67% voltage efficiencies at 140 mA cm−2 over 100 charge/discharge cycles. The polarization curve indicated an operational power density of 310 W cm−2 at a limiting current density of 350 mA cm−2, revealing a low membrane resistivity. An asymmetric flow battery was set up to overcome VRFB capacity fading and operated at 100 mA cm−2. The study demonstrated the superiority of ICEM over Nafion®117 in terms of self-discharge and capacity retention under identical operational conditions. The findings of this study indicated long-term operational stability of ICEM and suitability in VRFB applications.

Graphical abstract: A sulfonated polyethylene–styrene cation exchange membrane: a potential separator material in vanadium redox flow battery applications

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 Nov 2021
Accepted
13 Jan 2022
First published
15 Jan 2022
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Energy Adv., 2022,1, 87-98

A sulfonated polyethylene–styrene cation exchange membrane: a potential separator material in vanadium redox flow battery applications

S. Sreenath, C. M. Pawar, P. Bavdane, D. Y. Nikumbe and R. K. Nagarale, Energy Adv., 2022, 1, 87 DOI: 10.1039/D1YA00059D

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