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High performance polyvinyl alcohol/calcium titanate nanocomposite anion-exchange membranes as separators in redox flow batteries

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Abstract

Low ionic conductivity and poor chemical stability are the two key parameters that limit the use of many anion-exchange membranes in electrochemical applications like rechargeable batteries and fuel cells. Herein we report a method for the synthesis of a high performance anion-exchange membrane fabricated by incorporating calcium titanate nanoparticles (CaTiO3) into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. The CaTiO3 was synthesized by a new co-precipitation method from a solution of two simple precursors, viz potassium titanyl oxalate and calcium chloride. The XRD data of the synthesized nanoparticles indicate a phase pure orthorhombic perovskite structure. Morphological features investigated with SEM and TEM studies, reveal that the CaTiO3 is having spherical shape with a diameter of approximately 200 nm. The PVA/CaTiO3 nanocomposite membranes were fabricated by solution casting method from a well dispersed suspension of CaTiO3 in PVA and characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, TGA, SEM, AC impedance analysis and tensile strength measurements. The membranes with 30 wt% CaTiO3 content possess ionic conductivity of 66 mS cm−1 at room temperature. The electrochemical performance of an all-iron redox flow cell was studied using galvanostatic charge–discharge tests using the above nanocomposite membrane as separator and the system exhibited a coulombic efficiency of 75% during the charge–discharge cycles.

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Acknowledgements

P. P. Moly gratefully acknowledges University Grants Commission (UGC) of India for the financial support under Faculty Development Programme, C. B. Jeena and P. J. Elsa are grateful to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Govt. of India for Research Fellowships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. P. G. and Research Department of Chemistry, Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Affiliated to University of Calicut, Irinjalakuda, Kerala, 680125, India

    P. P. Moly, C. B. Jeena, P. J. Elsa, K. J. Ambily & V. T. Joy

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Moly, P.P., Jeena, C.B., Elsa, P.J. et al. High performance polyvinyl alcohol/calcium titanate nanocomposite anion-exchange membranes as separators in redox flow batteries. Polym. Bull. 75, 4409–4428 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-018-2277-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-018-2277-2

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