Ion exchange membranes for vanadium redox flow batteries

Abstract: Ion exchange membranes play a crucial role in flow batteries. Such batteries comprise an electrochemical cell in which oxidation and reduction processes can store and release electrons during charge and discharge operations. The electrical energy is stored in a liquid in large reservoirs. Vanadium redox flow batteries are considered here in particular. This chapter reviews (a) principles of electrochemical energy storage and (b) the properties of polymeric and hybrid membrane materials that are suitable for redox flow batteries.