Volume 24, Issue 1 e202300171
Review

Development of Membranes and Separators to Inhibit Cross-Shuttling of Sulfur in Polysulfide-Based Redox Flow Batteries: A Review

Ibad Ali Khan

Ibad Ali Khan

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Sciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

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Atif Saeed Alzahrani

Atif Saeed Alzahrani

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Chemical Sciences, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen and Energy Storage, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

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Shahid Ali

Shahid Ali

Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen and Energy Storage, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

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Muhammad Mansha

Corresponding Author

Muhammad Mansha

Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen and Energy Storage, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

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Muhammad Nawaz Tahir

Muhammad Nawaz Tahir

Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen and Energy Storage, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

Department of Chemistry, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

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Majad Khan

Majad Khan

Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen and Energy Storage, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

Department of Chemistry, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

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Hafiz Adil Qayyum

Hafiz Adil Qayyum

Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen and Energy Storage, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

Department of Physics, College of General Studies, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabi

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Safyan Akram Khan

Corresponding Author

Safyan Akram Khan

Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen and Energy Storage, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261 Saudi Arabia

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First published: 22 August 2023
Citations: 1

Abstract

The global rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy resources necessitates the implementation of long-duration energy storage technologies owing to the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. Therefore, the deployment of grid-scale energy storage systems is inevitable. Sulfur-based batteries can be exploited as excellent energy storage devices owing to their intrinsic safety, low cost of raw materials, low risk of environmental hazards, and highest theoretical capacities (gravimetric: 2600 Wh/kg and volumetric: 2800 Wh/L). However, sulfur-based batteries exhibit certain scientific limitations, such as polysulfide crossover, which causes rapid capacity decay and low Coulombic efficiency, thereby hindering their implementation at a commercial scale. In this review article, we focus on the latest research developments between 2012–2023 to improve the separators/membranes and overcome the shuttle effect associated with them. Various categories of ion exchange membranes (IEMs) used in redox batteries, particularly polysulfide redox flow batteries and lithium-sulfur batteries, are discussed in detail. Furthermore, advances in IEM constituents are summarized to gain insights into different fundamental strategies for attaining targeted characteristics, and a critical analysis is proposed to highlight their efficiency in mitigating sulfur cross-shuttling issues. Finally, future prospects and recommendations are suggested for future research toward the fabrication of more effective membranes with desired properties.

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