Advanced Membranes Boost the Industrialization of Flow Battery

ConspectusFlow battery (FB) is nowadays one of the most suited energy storage technologies for large-scale stationary storage, which plays a vital role in accelerating wide deployment renewable energies. FBs achieve conversion by reversible redox reactions flowing active species at positive and negative sides. An ion conducting membrane (ICM) necessary to separate anolyte catholyte, while charge-balanced ions form complete electric circuit simultaneously. However, commonly used commercial perfluorinated sulfonated exchange membranes suffer from low selectivity high cost. The widely studied nonfluorinated have poor chemical stability. Most importantly, these are confronted with trade-off between conductivity. That has motivated researchers explore novel materials innovative design. Among them, porous based on “ion sieving conducting” mechanism instead traditional were put forward, upon very impressive progress been achieved recent years. Different membranes, ICMs can pore size exclusion. As result, controlling structures, break up conductivity trade-off.However, initial performance first reported ICM not enough afford industrialization FBs. group striving integration basic, applied translational research, we devoted substantial efforts optimizing current fabrication methods, developing techniques, exploring increasing over decade. Based efforts, preliminary industrial applications realized. In this Account, summarize discuss development process various FB systems, mainly including vanadium zinc-based We begin discussion brief description their ICMs. Then will illustrate deeply elaborately. This account focus our contributions modification strategies be illustrated thoroughly, regulation formation parameters, introduction functional or separation layers implementation post-treatment steps. also challenges propose prospects future development.