Characterization of Cellulosa Empty Palm Oil Bunches-Fiber Glass Membrane as Separator in Water Electrolizer

Abstract

Characterizations of membranes made from cellulose empty palm oil bunches-fiber glass as H2O separators in water of electrolyzer has been done. The separators membrane was successfully made with a manual and simple technique, mixing cellulose fiber material produced from the modification of oil palm empty bunches fibers (OPEBF) with a steam explosion in 12 % NaOH immersion. Cellulose fiber mixed with fiber glass in the composition of 30:20:50 (%wt)and dried with variations in heating temperature 60oC, 70oC, 80oC, 90oC and 100oC to get a composite. The results of Characterization the ability of the membrane as a separator produce H2 gas concentrations which is more increased than without using a separator. Where is the good and stable value for the membrane as a separator in heating temperature 70oC with a percentage of membrane porosity is 34.9%, the percent value of water absorption (swealling) is 46.93% and membrane conductivity is 1.33 x 10-10 S/cm and SEM results show sample in heating temperature 70oC has more homogeneity than others.