Enhanced Proton Conductivity of Porous UHMWPE membrane with Graphene-based material for Vanadium Redox Flow Battery

Porous membrane with enhanced proton conductivity is designed and prepared for vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). The membrane is composed of ultra height molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) grafted with poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) (PVBC) at different degrees of grafting (DOG). Subsequently, the membrane is functionalized with graphene oxide (UHMWPE-g-PVBGO) under ultrasonication. The functionalization of the GO on the porous substrates is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman analyses. UHMWPE-g-PVBGO membranes exhibited ~37% higher proton conductivity compared to pristine UHMWPE upon modification at 30 °C and 100% relative humidity (RH). In relation to the degree of grafting, a higher degree of grafting possessed higher proton conductivity value for the porous membrane.