Development of bipolar membranes by electrospinning and electrospraying: Relevance to acid-base flow battery applications

As the shift from fossil fuel dependence to renewable energy sources occurs. There is an increasing need for energy storage devices that would make this transition feasible. The thesis centers on the investigation of an acid-base flow battery's development, which has the ability to store energy in acid and base solutions. The primary element of this battery is a bipolar membrane (BPM) that performs the tasks of water dissociation and acid/base production. However, more comprehension and advancement of this component are required to enhance energy efficiency. The thesis presents the development of a manufacturing method for BPM using the techniques of electrospinning and electrospraying. By using advanced manufacturing processes, it becomes feasible to create nano/micro fibers that exhibit anion exchange and cation exchange properties. By concurrently managing the development process of these fibers, it is feasible to build BPM with a junction of entangled fibers. The thesis investigates and examines the impact of this particular structure on the electrochemical process and the purity of the resulting acid and base products. Furthermore, the impact of the thickness of the junction on the performance of the BPM is also addressed. In general, the BPM manufacturing process is studied by analyzing the materials and structure used, with the goal of gaining a better understanding of BPM properties and enhancing its performance.