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A Low-Cost and High-Performance Sulfonated Polyimide Proton-Conductive Membrane for Vanadium Redox Flow/Static
Jinchao Li, Xiaodong Yuan1, Suqin Liu
1State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Research Institute , Nanjing, Jiangsu 211103, P.R. China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|September 8, 2017
Summary
A new fluorinated sulfonated polyimide (s-FSPI) membrane offers superior performance and lower cost for vanadium redox batteries (VRBs). This advanced membrane significantly reduces vanadium ion leakage and enhances proton conductivity, improving battery efficiency and stability.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Vanadium redox batteries (VRBs) are promising for large-scale energy storage.
- Current membranes, like Nafion 115, face challenges with vanadium ion crossover and cost.
- Development of high-performance, cost-effective membranes is crucial for VRB commercialization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel side-chain-type fluorinated sulfonated polyimide (s-FSPI) membrane for VRBs.
- To evaluate the performance of the s-FSPI membrane in VRBs compared to commercial Nafion 115.
- To investigate the structure-property relationships governing the membrane's performance.
Main Methods:
- High-temperature polycondensation and grafting reactions were employed for s-FSPI synthesis.
- Vanadium ion permeability and proton selectivity were measured.
- Chemical stability was assessed.
- Vanadium redox flow/static batteries (VRFB/VRSB) were assembled and subjected to charge-discharge cycling tests.
Main Results:
- The s-FSPI membrane exhibited over an order of magnitude lower vanadium ion permeability than Nafion 115.
- Proton selectivity was 6.8 times higher for s-FSPI compared to Nafion 115.
- s-FSPI membranes demonstrated superior chemical stability and stable battery performance over 100-300 cycles.
- VRBs with s-FSPI showed higher efficiencies and lower self-discharge rates than those with Nafion 115.
- The s-FSPI membrane costs only one-fourth of Nafion 115.
Conclusions:
- The novel s-FSPI membrane offers a compelling alternative to Nafion 115 for VRBs.
- Its unique molecular design provides excellent ion selectivity and chemical stability.
- This low-cost, high-performance membrane facilitates the advancement of VRB technology.
