Bromine Crossover in Operando Analysis of Proton Exchange Membranes in Hydrogen−Bromate Flow Batteries

The manuscript deals with the fundamental problem of platinum hydrogen oxidation catalyst poisoning of the hybrid chemical power source based on bromate electroreduction and hydrogen electro-oxidation reactions. The poisoning is caused by the crossover of bromine-containing species through the proton exchange membrane separating compartments of the flow cell. Poisoning results in a drastic decrease in the flow cell performance. This paper describes the results of the direct measurement of bromine-containing species’ crossover through perfluorosulfonic acid membranes of popular vendors in a hydrogen−bromate flow cell and proposes corresponding scenarios for the flow battery charge−discharge operation based on the electrolyte’s control of the pH value. The rate of the crossover of the bromine-containing species through the membrane is found to be inversely proportional to the membrane thickness.