Redox-flow batteries employ dissolved active materials separated by a semi-permeable membrane to store and release energy on demand.  Cell life and capacity are maximized when active materials can be sequestered in their respective cell compartments at high concentrations.  Here, I will discuss in depth how sub-nm (i.e., microporous) polymer membranes for such devices should be configured to maximize ionic conductivity, pH stability, and active-material blocking. In turn, I will describe several emerging cell chemistries where such membranes are put to work in electrochemical cells configured with a range of chemistries for the active materials, from metals to organics. A particular focus will be on cells employing highly alkaline electrolytes, where the demands for membrane performance go far beyond what is deliverable from commercially available separators and ion-exchange membranes, including those based on perfluoroalkylsulfonic acid polymers. The emergence of high-performance, sub-nm porous polymer membranes is an advance that goes beyond redox-flow batteries, and these opportunities for future study will also be discussed.

Macromolecular design of porous polymer membranes for crossover-free aqueous alkaline energy storage devices

2019 Spring National Meeting

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