Electrochemical Characterization and Modeling of Ion Exchange Membranes and Carbon Felts for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries

Samuel M. Bedor¹, Woodson D. Squier¹, Caspar C. Yi¹, Simuck F. Yuk¹, Preston Haney², Corey James^1*, Enoch A. Nagelli^1*

¹Department of Chemistry & Life Science, Chemical Engineering Program, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York 10996

²U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Armament Center, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07885

There is an ever-increasing demand for grid energy storage as the use of renewable energy sources grow. Vanadium redox flow batteries exist as a potential solution to this need. This research is focused on electrochemically characterization and Aspen Plus modeling of different vanadium chemistries, component membranes, and temperatures to determine how those factors affect current, battery power and efficiency. Aspen Plus was used to model the kinetics for the vanadium redox couples. Initially, individual components of a flow battery were analyzed. Galvanostatic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry methods were used to characterize the ionic and electronic resistance and capacitance in various concentrations of vanadyl sulfate with supporting electrolyte, respectively. The goal is to discover the most efficient set point and combination of these variables to maximize the performance of the flow battery.