Proton-exchange membranes based on sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)/polyaniline blends for all- and air-vanadium redox flow battery applications

Thin and mechanically stable proton-exchange membranes with high V(IV) barrier properties and good proton conductivity have been fabricated by polymer blending of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) with polyaniline. V(IV) diffusion coefficient of blended membranes in a wt. ratio of 80/20 was 2.6 and 6 times lower than for pure sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) and Nafion 112 membrane, respectively. This behaviour is assumed to be caused by a densified polymer matrix given by acid/base interactions between the two polymers. Blended membranes in a wt. ratio of 80/20 had a good proton conductivity of 54.15 mS cm−1 and ion exchange capacity of 1.44 mmol g−1. The membranes were also characterized in all-vanadium redox flow battery, where only slightly higher efficiencies were achieved than for pure polymer. Slow PANI degradation determines a decrease in membrane performance, reaching values close to the starting polymer (SPEEK-E600). Therefore, the application of blended membranes in the all-vanadium redox flow battery is not advantageous. However, the improved barrier properties are likely to be beneficial for their application in vanadium/air-redox flow battery in order to reduce oxygen crossover. In the latter, no V(V) ions can oxidize the blend polymer.