Rechargeable Metal-Air Proton-Exchange Membrane Batteries for Renewable Energy Storage.

ABSTRACT: Rechargeable proton-exchange membrane batteries that employ organic chemical hydrides as hydrogen-storage media have the potential to serve as next-generation power sources; however, significant challenges remain regarding the improvement of the reversible hydrogen-storage capacity. Here, we address this challenge through the use of metal-ion redox couples as energy carriers for battery operation. Carbon, with a suitable degree of crystallinity and surface oxygenation, was used as an effective anode material for the metal redox reactions. A Sn0.9In0.1P2O7-based electrolyte membrane allowed no crossover of vanadium ions through the membrane. The V(4+)/V(3+), V(3+)/V(2+), and Sn(4+)/Sn(2+) redox reactions took place at a more positive potential than that for hydrogen reduction, so that undesired hydrogen production could be avoided. The resulting electrical capacity reached 306 and 258?mAh?g(-1) for VOSO4 and SnSO4, respectively, and remained at 76 and 91?% of their respective initial values after 50 cycles.

SUBMITTER: Nagao M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4964886 | biostudies-other | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other