Ion-exchange membranes and electrodes for redox flow batteries

Overview

Grid-scale energy storage for intermittent renewables like solar and wind is an essential element of the transition away from fossil fuel based electricity production. Redox flow batteries have some very interesting characteristics for this stationary storage application:

• they are safer than other battery types
• the amount of energy stored can typically be scaled up easily
• the power and energy of a system are more decoupled compared to lithium and other batteries, making them flexible in their design parameters.

Ion exchange membrane and electrode are critical part of the redox flow battery. Ion-exchange membrane is used to separate different electrolytes solutions of the battery. Electrode is used to catalyse the reaction of active substances in the electrolyte solution for storage and release of electrical energy. Similar membranes and electrodes have applications in fuel cells and hydrogen production which are other important areas of research in energy conversion and storage.

This project will investigate the performance of ion-exchange membranes and electrodes by measuring the electrochemical performance of small lab sized redox flow batteries.

Research activities

You will work with members of the School of Chemistry and Physics and the Center for Materials Science of researchers.

The work is expected to involve

• redox flow battery cell assembly
• applying electrochemical testing techniques such as charge/discharge cycling
• data analysis and reporting.

The work will also provide exposure to

• a range of battery testing equipment, from small to large scale
• battery materials synthesis
• battery materials characterisation.

Outcomes

The aim is to determine the performance, and suitability for purpose, of ion-exchange membranes and electrodes for redox flow batteries. Where possible the work may lead to recommendations for optimising redox flow battery configurations.

Skills and experience

A background in chemistry, chemical engineering, or physics is highly preferred but all interested applicants are encouraged to send an enquiry email describing their motivation and suitability.

Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a research scholarship.

Explore our research scholarships

Keywords

• Flow battery
• Membranes
• Electrodes
• Energy storage
• Electrochemistry

Contact

Contact the supervisor for more information. Please cc email to Dr. Jiaye Ye (jiaye.ye@qut.edu.au).