Characterization of Nafion/Silica Hybrid Composite Membranes for Redox Flow Battery (RFB) Applications

Abstract

Nafion/Silica hybrid membranes were prepared via in situ solgel method for redox flow battery (RFB) system. In this work, a novel Nafion/organically modified silicate hybrids nanocomposite membrane was prepared via in situ solgel reactions for mixtures of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and trimethoxyprohanthiol (TMSP). The primary properties of Nafion/Silica hybrids membrane were measured and compared with Nafion and Nafion/SiO2 hybrid membranes. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) analysis of the hybrids membranes reveal that the silica and organic modified silica phase is well formed within hybrids membrane. The XRD results indicate thatthe Nafionhybrid membranes are not influenced by SiO2 nanoparticles.Nafion/Silica hybrid membrane shows nearly the same ion exchange capacity (IEC) and slightly greater of proton conductivity as pristine Nafion-117 membrane. The water uptake for Nafion/Organosilica hybrids membrane shows greatly reduced than a pristine Nafion 117, suggesting of low water cross over that is mostly faced in the RFB applications.