Modification of clayware ceramic membrane for enhancing the performance of microbial fuel cell

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop an economically viable clayware ceramic membrane that exhibits proton mass transfer comparable to the commercially available membrane (Nafion 117) for microbial fuel cell (MFC). The clayware ceramic membrane made from red soil was modified using cation exchangers like montmorillonite (MMT) and vermiculite (VC), and by spray coating of MMT composite with Nafion solution. Nafion-117 (a commercial membrane) and membrane prepared using only red soil were used as a standard and control, respectively. Other membranes include 20% blend of MMT with red soil (SM); 20% VC with red soil (SV); 10% blend of each MMT and VC with red soil (SMV); and SM membrane spray-coated with Nafion solution (SMN). The addition of cation exchangers enhances the performance of the clayware ceramic membranes as compared to the control, and coating of Nafion solution on SMN leads it to perform even better. Average open circuit voltage and average operating voltage for the SMN membranes were 670 ± 17.63 mV and 82 ± 5.69 mV, respectively, which are the best among all the fabricated membranes. The power density of the SMN membrane was 84.3 mW/m 3 which is five times that of the control. The study demonstrates that SMN membrane can be used as an alternate for more costly polymeric membranes in MFC.

Investigating the Proton and Ion Transfer Properties of Supported Ionic Liquid Membranes Prepared for Bioelectrochemical Applications Using Hydrophobic Imidazolium-Type Ionic Liquids

“…The pH of the anolyte was continuously monitored by using a pH meter until one unit of pH change was recorded. Then, the proton mass transfer coefficient (k H+ ) was calculated according to Equation (3) [ 28 , 29 ], where V is the volume, A M is the membrane’s surface area, c 1,0 , c 2,0 , and c 2 are the proton concentrations initially in the catholyte and anolyte, and in the anolyte at time t, respectively. The proton diffusion coefficient (D H+ ) can be calculated by taking into account the thickness of the actual membrane (d) (Equation (4)).…”

A Critical Review on the Advancement of the Development of Low-Cost Membranes to Be Utilized in Microbial Fuel Cells

“…Firstly, the growing emphasis on sustainable practices has encouraged the exploration of eco-friendly materials like natural clays for MFC applications. Secondly, the inherent affordability of earthen materials offers a significant economic advantage compared to ceramic membranes [23,67].…”

“…In addition, membranes with high water-holding capacities, such as the SMN membrane, show improved performance compared to counterparts like the SM membrane. Notably, the Nafion-117 membrane has the highest water-holding capacity among all membranes, which further enhances its proton transport capabilities [67].…”