Crosslinked inter penetrating network of sulfonated styrene and sulfonated PVdF-co-HFP as electrolytic membrane in a single chamber microbial fuel cell

Abstract

In the present study, semi-IPN membranes of sulfonated styrene (SS) and sulfonated PVdF-co-HFP membranes have been analyzed as polymer electrolyte membrane in single chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs). A respective 5%, 10%, 20% and 30% sulfonated styrene (SS) with varying concentrations of divinyl benzene (DVB) have been polymerized in the presence of sulfonated PVdF-co-HFP to 10 prepare SPS-0(0% SS), SPS-5 (5% SS), SPS-10(10% SS), SPS-20(20% SS) and SPS-30(30% SS) membranes. Progressive improvements in membrane properties was observed with increasing SS and DVB concentration, where excess DVB (< 0.8 wt % of SS) resulted in increased crosslinks within membrane structure. This eventually impeded membrane property and altered rigidity in membranes. The membranes were characterized for their ion exchange capacity (IEC) and proton conductivity; IEC value of 0.39 meq g -1 , 0.42 meq g -1 , 0.47 meq g -1 , 0.54 meq g -1 and 0.63 meq g -1 and proton conductivity of 3.23×10 -3 , 1.06×10 -2 , 1.87×10 -2 , 2.47×10 -2 and 15 1.61×10 -2 Scm -1 were observed for SPS-0(0% SS), SPS-5 (5% SS), SPS-10(10% SS), SPS-20(20% SS) and SPS-30(30% SS) membranes. The membranes were sandwiched as membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) and employed in single chambered MFCs with open air cathode to analyze their overall performance output. It was observed that amongst these membranes, MFC with SPS-20 membrane showed the maximum power and current density of 447.42 ± 22 mW/m 2 and 1729.63 ± 87mA/m 2 with an overall ~91.27% COD removal in 28 days operation, using electrogenic mixed firmicutes as biocatalysts. In overall, the study depicts the relevance of 20 semi-IPN membranes of sulfonated styrene (SS) and sulfonated PVdF-co-HFP in MFC application for harvesting bio-energy.

Acid catalysed cross-linking of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) by glutaraldehyde: effect of crosslink density on the characteristics of PVA membranes used in single chambered microbial fuel cells

“…The degree of cross-linking in membranes was characterized by solvent extraction method. 37 Small pieces of the membranes were wrapped in lter paper and kept in distilled water at room temperature. The solvent was replaced in every 15 h until no further solubility was observed in the polymer.…”

Facile Approach for Glutaraldehyde Cross-Linking of PVA/Aluminophosphate Adhesives for Wood-Based Panels

“…In order to further clarify this, the rate at which PAP cross-linked with GA was analyzed using the gel fraction (eq ) of the cross-linked adhesives (Figure ). An increase in the cross-link density (expressed in percentage) was observed as the cross-linker content increased. The maximum cross-link degree of 26.1% was obtained in 20% GA.…”

“…The degree of cross-linking in GPAP adhesives was characterized by the solvent extraction method. , A small portion of the adhesive was weighed, wrapped in filter paper, and kept in distilled water at room temperature. The solvent was replaced every 24 h until no further adhesive leaching was observed in the water.…”

Improving the Overall Characteristics of Proton Exchange Membranes via Nanophase Separation Technologies: A Progress Review

“…The membrane exhibited the maximum proton conductivity similar to that of NAFION 117, and delivered a maximum power density of 2.4 × 10 2 W m −2 fed with 2 mol dm −3 of methanol at 60 °C, also similar to that of NAFION at 2.2 × 10 2 W m −2 under the same operation conditions. The application of this membrane in microbial fuel cells showed a maximum power density of 4.47 × 10 3 W m −2 and current density of 1.729 A m −2 .…”