An ionically conductive asymmetric composite membrane for use in redox flow battery, fuel cell, electrolysis applications and the like is described. It comprises a microporous substrate membrane and an asymmetric hydrophilic ionomeric polymer coating layer on the surface of the microporous substrate layer. The coating layer is made of a hydrophilic ionomeric polymer. The asymmetric hydrophilic ionomeric polymer coating layer comprises a porous layer having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the porous layer on the surface of the microporous substrate layer and a nonporous layer on the second surface of the porous support layer. The microporous substrate membrane is made from a different polymer from the hydrophilic ionomeric polymer.

A separation membrane for a redox flow battery includes: a protective film formed on each of both surfaces of a sheet substrate along with pores, the sheet substrate having thereon a number of pores communicating between the both surfaces; and an ion-exchange membrane adhered to the protective film, the ion-exchange membrane having a matrix formed of an ion-exchange resin dispersed therein with an inorganic porous powdery body attached with the ion-exchange resin obtained as a result of sulfonating rosin.

An electrochemical reaction cell comprising an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA is positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and the MEA each have a corrugated shape and are contained within a recess of a housing.

An electrochemical reaction cell comprising an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA is positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and the MEA each have a corrugated shape and are contained within a recess of a housing.

In one aspect, a composite membrane comprises a polymeric host comprising polybenzimidazole or polybenzimidazole derivative and graphene oxide dispersed in the polymeric host, the graphene oxide at least partially functionalized with phosphonic acid moieties, phosphonate moieties or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the functionalized graphene oxide is homogeneously dispersed in the polymeric host and/or is not agglomerated in the polymeric host.

In one aspect, a composite membrane comprises a polymeric host comprising polybenzimidazole or polybenzimidazole derivative and graphene oxide dispersed in the polymeric host, the graphene oxide at least partially functionalized with phosphonic acid moieties, phosphonate moieties or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the functionalized graphene oxide is homogeneously dispersed in the polymeric host and/or is not agglomerated in the polymeric host.

The invention relates to flow batteries having improved crossover resistance to electroactive species, excellent coulombic and voltage efficiency and durability, which batteries comprise a separator membrane comprising an ionomer having a high equivalent weight, EW, to achieve these performance benefits. The ionomer has an EW of 1150 to 2000. Preferably, the ionomer is a perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer which has substantially all of the functional groups being represented by the formula SO.sub.3X wherein X is H, Li, Na, K or N(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2)(R.sup.3)(R.sup.4) and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are the same or different and are H, CH.sub.3 or C.sub.2H.sub.5. Preferably, substantially all of the functional groups are represented by the formula SO.sub.3X wherein X is H.

An electrical energy generating device includes an electrical energy generating element, a first container, a second container, and a liquid having positive and negative ions. The electrical energy generating element includes a first porous electrode, an eggshell membrane, and a second porous electrode stacked on each other in that order. The first container is located on a side of the first porous electrode away from the eggshell membrane. The second container is located on a side of the second porous electrode away from the eggshell membrane. The liquid is located in at least one of the first container and the second container, and the liquid is configured to penetrate from one of the first container and the second container to another through the electrical energy generating element.

Provided is a layered double hydroxide (LDH) separator including a porous substrate made of a polymeric material, and LDH with which pores of the porous substrate are plugged. The LDH separator has a plurality of remaining flattened pores, longitudinal directions of the pores being non-parallel to a thickness direction of the LDH separator.

A membrane is provided, as well as membrane electrode assemblies and sensors utilizing the membrane of the present technology. The membrane includes a membrane material with a top surface and a bottom surface; and a protonic ionic liquid disposed at least between the top surface and the bottom surface of the membrane material where the protonic ionic liquid is of Formula I. ##STR00001##