Collaborative Research: Zeolite Thin Films as Efficient and Robust Ion Exchange Membranes in Redox Flow Batteries for Renewable Energy Storage

合作研究：沸石薄膜作为可再生能源存储氧化还原液流电池中高效且坚固的离子交换膜

• 批准号: 1263707
• 负责人: Sohail Murad
• 金额: $ 16万
• 依托单位: University of Illinois at Chicago
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-03-01 至 2015-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1263707&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Zeolite; Thin; Films

1263860 / 1263707 Dong, Junhang / Murad, SohailThe lack of economical and efficient energy storage devices is one of the major hurdles to the widespread utilization of renewable solar and wind energy. The redox flow battery (RFB) is an attractive option because of its excellent safety, high capacity, high efficiency, modularity, and small environmental footprint; however, in its current development state it is not commercially viable largely because of inefficiencies in the ion exchange membrane (IEM), which is a key factor determining its cost effectiveness, energy efficiency, and battery lifetime. Research and development efforts on IEMs for RFBs have largely focused on polymer-based materials. These materials have fundamental deficiencies, associated with their polymeric nature, related to ion crossover and chemical instability in high concentration electrolyte solutions of RFBs; therefore, alternative IEMs fabricated from new materials are required. The goal of this project is to explore nanoporous zeolite thin films as a new class of highly efficient and durable IEMs for RFBs. A key objective is to understand the mechanisms of proton conduction and field-driven ion transport in the zeolite membranes. The research will primarily focus on the siliceous MFI-type zeolite membranes for two model RFB systems including the Fe/Cr RFB and the all-vanadium RFB. The specific objectives include: (i) synthesizing MFI zeolite membranes with different thickness, orientation, and framework composition and investigating the effects of these structural and chemical properties on the membrane performance in RFBs; (ii) experimentally studying the transport properties for proton and relevant metal ions with and without applied electric fields; and (iii) performing molecular simulations of the electrical-field-driven and chemical-potential-gradient-driven ion transport processes. Zeolite membrane transport is governed by the field-driven diffusion of ?hydrated protons? in essentially non-ionic subnanometer zeolitic channels and is fundamentally different from the proton hopping process in the hydrated ionic polymers. This research will employ nanoporous inorganic membranes, particularly the crystalline zeolite membranes, as a new generation of highly efficient and robust IEMs for RFBs. The project will advance fundamental knowledge on ion transport in the zeolite membranes through synergistic efforts involving experimental studies and molecular dynamics simulations. Simulations will guide efforts to determine the most promising membrane structural and chemical properties. Broader Impacts: If successful, this research may guide the design of storage devices for intermittent energy from renewable sources. The membranes developed will also have potential applications energy production and environmental protection. A more complete fundamental understanding of the electrical field-driven ion transport mechanism in zeolitic nanopores will be a significant contribution to membrane science. The project involves experimental and theoretical studies that will provide opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students. Plans have been made to incorporate the research findings into existing courses and to include undergraduate participation from diverse academic and ethnic backgrounds. Both PIs have outreach activities involving high school students and undergraduate students through research projects and presentations at seminars.

1263860 / 1263707 Dong，Junhang / Murad，Sohai缺乏经济有效的储能装置是广泛利用可再生太阳能和风能的主要障碍之一。氧化还原液流电池（RFB）是一个有吸引力的选择，因为它具有优异的安全性，高容量，高效率，模块化和小的环境足迹;然而，在其目前的发展状态下，它在商业上是不可行的，主要是因为离子交换膜（IEM）的效率低下，这是决定其成本效益，能源效率和电池寿命的关键因素。用于RFB的IEM的研发工作主要集中在聚合物基材料上。这些材料具有与它们的聚合物性质相关的基本缺陷，涉及RFB的高浓度电解质溶液中的离子交叉和化学不稳定性;因此，需要由新材料制造的替代IEM。本项目的目标是探索纳米多孔沸石薄膜作为一类新的高效和耐用的离子交换膜的RFBs。 一个关键的目标是了解质子传导和场驱动的离子在沸石膜中的传输机制。本研究将主要针对两种典型RFB系统（包括Fe/Cr RFB和全钒RFB）的硅质MFI型沸石膜进行研究。具体目标包括：（i）合成具有不同厚度、取向和骨架组成的MFI沸石膜，并研究这些结构和化学性质对RFB中的膜性能的影响;（ii）实验研究在施加和不施加电场的情况下质子和相关金属离子的传输性质;以及（iii）对电场驱动和化学势梯度驱动的离子迁移过程进行分子模拟。沸石膜运输是由场驱动的扩散？水合质子在基本上非离子的亚纳米沸石通道中，并且与水合离子聚合物中的质子跳跃过程根本不同。 这项研究将采用纳米多孔无机膜，特别是结晶沸石膜，作为新一代的高效和强大的离子交换膜的RFBs。该项目将通过涉及实验研究和分子动力学模拟的协同努力，推进关于沸石膜中离子传输的基础知识。 模拟将指导确定最有前途的膜结构和化学性质的努力。更广泛的影响：如果成功，这项研究可能会指导可再生能源间歇性能源存储设备的设计。 开发的膜也将具有潜在的应用能源生产和环境保护。对电场驱动的离子在沸石纳米孔中传输机制的更完整的基本理解将对膜科学做出重大贡献。该项目涉及实验和理论研究，将为研究生和本科生提供机会。 已计划将研究结果纳入现有课程，并吸收不同学术和族裔背景的本科生参加。 这两个项目研究所通过研究项目和研讨会上的演讲，开展了涉及高中生和本科生的外联活动。