Preparation of Membranes for Solutions in the Energy and Environmental Sectors

Secondary batteries are emerging as great demand due to their high benefits and performance in applications such as electronic devices and energy storage. The main objective of this research project is the study and preparation of porous membranes by NIPS (Non-Solvent Induced Phase Separation) method to act as electrolyte and separator between electrodes in batteries. The preparation conditions have been optimized using a commercial polysulfone and, after that, mixtures of this polymer and polyvinylpirrodilone have been used to prepare the porous membranes. These membranes have been characterized by conventional techniques: SEM, TGA, DSC and FTIR-ATR. Finally, an ionic liquid (EMIM-TFSI) has been infiltrated into the membranes and ionic conductivity has been measured by using impedance spectroscopy, evaluating the potential of the membranes as polymeric pseudosolid electrolytes.