Phenyl Acrylate-Based Cross-Linked Anion Exchange Membranes for Non-aqueous Redox Flow Batteries

Redox flow batteries(RFBs) are of recent interest to store harvestedrenewable energy for improving grid reliability and utilization. Inthis study, we synthesized and characterized a series of phenyl acrylate-basedUV-cross-linked anion exchange membranes (AEMs) and explored the performanceof these AEMs in a model non-aqueous RFB under model conditions. Infraredspectroscopy was utilized to confirm the incorporation of ion carriersin the phenyl acrylate backbone. The electrochemical performance wascompared with the commercial Fumasep membrane Fuma-375 based on highstability in non-aqueous solvents, high permeability to the charge-carryingion, low resistance, low crossover of the redox-active molecules,and low cost. Our results show 55% total capacity retention through1000 charge/discharge cycles because of low crossover as comparedto the Fumasep commercial membrane which retained only 28% capacity.This result is promising in understanding and developing next-generationAEMs for non-aqueous RFBs and other electrochemical systems utilizingorganic solvents.