Highly Selective Proton-Conducting Composite Membranes for Redox Flow Batteries

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) have the potential for economical storage of electrical energy than other battery chemistries. They use high-cost ion exchange membranes as separators between anolyte and catholyte, which prevent broad market penetration. Proton exchange membranes (e.g. Nafion) are poorly selective, allowing undesired cross-diffusion of active species in solution electrolytes across the membranes and reducing the efficiency and durability of RFBs. Lynntech proposes to develop a low-cost, robust, highly selective proton-conducting composite membrane which can enable the development of cost-effective RFBs than the current technologies. The innovative composite membrane allows rapid proton transport but ultralow diffusion of water and active species. The development of the composite membrane will provide redox flow batteries with improved efficiency, and significantly improved durability and operating lifetimes. During the Phase I, Lynntech will synthesize and prepare the composite membrane, optimize the composition, determine the membrane