Energy Storage Science and Technology ›› 2013, Vol. 2 ›› Issue (2): 132-139.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4239.2013.02.006

• Research &development • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Review on ion exchange membranes for vanadium redox flow battery applications

NIU Hongjin1, TANG Junke1, ZHANG Yongming2, ZHANG Heng1   

  1. 1 Shandong Dongyue Polymer Material Co. Ltd.,Zibo 256401,Shandong,China;
    2 School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,Shanghai Jiao Tong University,Shanghai 200240,China
  • Received:2012-11-01 Revised:2012-12-03 Online:2013-04-19 Published:2013-04-19
  • Contact: 张永明,教授,E-mail:ymzsjtu@yahoo.com.cn.

Abstract: Ion exchange membranes are crucial to vanadium redox flow batteries (VRB). Such components should have a low permeability for vanadium ions, a high conductivity and chemical stability. This paper briefly introduces the principle and characteristics of VRB. A review is then given of the recent research and development progress in ion exchange membrane, covering commercial ion exchange membranes, cation exchange membranes, anion exchange membranes as well as amphoteric ion exchange membranes. Comparison of these membranes and recommendations for further improvements are then given. Finally, development of low cost perfluorosulfonated membranes is proposed as a key to large scale industrial take-up of the VRB technology.

Key words: vanadium redox flow battery, ion exchange membrane, energy storage efficiency, chemical energy storage

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