Applications of Graphene in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries

dc.contributor.authorMiller, Elizabeth
dc.date.accessioned2023-12-22T19:55:57Z
dc.date.available2023-12-22T19:55:57Z
dc.date.issued2023-12-22
dc.date.submitted2023-12-12
dc.description.abstractVanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) exhibit great promise as easily scalable, long-lasting, modular systems for grid-scale energy storage. However, vanadium crossover and poor reaction kinetics increase their operating costs by requiring frequent system regeneration and reducing energy efficiency, respectively. In this thesis, Nafion membranes were modified with single to few-layer nitrogen/sulfur-doped graphene (NS-graphene) by developing a large area Langmuir film deposition method with the aim of reducing vanadium crossover and potentially improving reaction kinetics. Using this approach, the ability to reduce vanadium permeability through Nafion 117 and Nafion 115 membranes by 75% and 53%, respectively, was demonstrated while maintaining a high enough proton conductivity that the overall selectivity of the membranes was increased by 243% and 65% when compared to the results for bare Nafion. To determine the impact of the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity of graphene on redox flow battery performance, a comparison of NS-graphene, graphene oxide (GO), and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was carried out using both monolayer electrodes and drop-cast films. Through this work, it was confirmed that the previously established approach developed by Punckt et al. [1] to account for porosity could not be extended to quasi-reversible systems such as that of the VRFB. An alternative data analysis scheme based on Dunn’s Method is proposed, showing mildly promising results, with more work needed in the area to develop strong conclusions.en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10012/20197
dc.language.isoenen
dc.pendingfalse
dc.publisherUniversity of Waterlooen
dc.subjectgrapheneen
dc.subjectredox flow batteriesen
dc.subjectvanadium redox flow batteriesen
dc.subjectenergy storageen
dc.subjectbatteriesen
dc.subjectelectrochemistryen
dc.titleApplications of Graphene in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteriesen
dc.typeMaster Thesisen
uws-etd.degreeMaster of Applied Scienceen
uws-etd.degree.departmentChemical Engineeringen
uws-etd.degree.disciplineChemical Engineeringen
uws-etd.degree.grantorUniversity of Waterlooen
uws-etd.embargo.terms0en
uws.comment.hiddenUploading a new copy with the changes as requested (moved all mention of specific contributions to a "Statement of Contributions" section after the "Author's Declaration", updated the "Author's Declaration", and changed page numbering so that the introduction is page 1.en
uws.contributor.advisorPope, Michael
uws.contributor.affiliation1Faculty of Engineeringen
uws.peerReviewStatusUnrevieweden
uws.published.cityWaterlooen
uws.published.countryCanadaen
uws.published.provinceOntarioen
uws.scholarLevelGraduateen
uws.typeOfResourceTexten

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