Investigating the Performance of a Zinc Oxide Impregnated Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Low-Cost Cation Exchange Membrane in Microbial Fuel Cells

Chauhan, Sunil; Kumar, Ashok; Pandit, Soumya; Vempaty, Anusha; Kumar, Manoj; Thapa, Bhim Sen; Rai, Nishant; Peera, Shaik Gouse

doi:10.3390/membranes13010055

Cited by 11 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 57 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The cathodic half-cell potential was measured using composite electrodes prepared in this study, with the anodic potential stabilized [26]. The impact of loading TiO 2 NPs onto carbon on power generation in an MFC was evaluated by incorporating different concentrations (mg/cm 2 ) of TiO 2 NPs into Vulcan XC.…”

Section: Polarization Study In Mfcmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Biogenic TiO2 Nanoparticles as ORR Catalysts on Cathode for Enhanced Performance of Microbial Fuel Cell

et al. 2023

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) use microorganisms to break down organic matter and generate power, which is an exciting new field of research. MFCs’ power generation relies on oxygen reduction (ORR) at the cathode. However, the slow kinetics of the ORR can severely limit the performance of MFCs. Additionally, the growth of biofilm on the cathode hampers the ORR process. In order to ensure the sustainability of MFCs over time, it is crucial to employ bifunctional catalysts that can address these issues. Biogenic titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and applied to a graphite sheet cathode in this study. Cyanobacteria, Phormidium species NCCU-104, was used to bio-fabricate titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. NPs were characterized using SEM and TEM analysis to determine their size, shape, surface morphology, and XRD. The particles had an average size of 18.11 nm, were spherical, and were well-dispersed, according to the results of the physicochemical characterization. TiO2 NPs were evaluated in MFC using different concentrations (0.5–2.5 mg/cm2) in the cathode to generate electricity and coulombic efficiency. MFC with a cathode impregnated with 2.0 mg/cm2 TiO2 NP produced maximum power density (15.2 W/m3), which was 38% more than 0.5 mg/cm2 TiO2 NP. The overall study results indicated that biogenic TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) could be an effective and low-cost catalyst in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and significantly improve biofouling. Due to its efficient and affordable contribution to the ORR, these results imply that biogenic TiO2 NPs might be a feasible alternative for improving the performance of MFCs.

show abstract

Section: Polarization Study In Mfcmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Biogenic TiO2 Nanoparticles as ORR Catalysts on Cathode for Enhanced Performance of Microbial Fuel Cell

et al. 2023

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Thus, the properties of PVDF can be further altered by including the desired amount and functional properties of CS in the PVDF membrane matrix (PVDF-CS). Moreover, incorporating inorganic additives as a filler in the polymer matrix can further influence membrane properties for MFC performances [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]. In this regard, various additives have been employed for membranes for MFC.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the Sulfonated Chitosan/Polyvinylidene Fluoride-Based Proton Exchange Membrane with fSiO2 as Filler in Microbial Fuel Cells

Palanisamy,

Muhammed,

Thangarasu

et al. 2023

Membranes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Chitosan (CS), a promising potential biopolymer with exquisite biocompatibility, economic viability, hydrophilicity, and chemical modifications, has drawn interest as an alternative material for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fabrication. However, CS in its original form exhibited low proton conductivity and mechanical stability, restricting its usage in PEM development. In this work, chitosan was functionalized (sulfonic acid (-SO3H) groups)) to enhance proton conductivity. The sulfonated chitosan (sCS) was blended with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer, along with the incorporation of functionalized SiO2 (–OH groups), for fabricating chitosan-based composite proton exchange membranes to enhance microbial fuel cell (MFC) performances. The results show that adding functionalized inorganic fillers (fSiO2) into the membrane enhances the mechanical, thermal, and anti-biofouling behavior. From the results, the PVDF/sCS/fSiO2 composite membrane exhibited enhanced proton conductivity 1.0644 × 10−2 S cm−1 at room temperature and increased IEC and mechanical and chemical stability. Furthermore, this study presents a revolutionary way to generate environmentally friendly natural polymer-based membrane materials for developing PEM candidates for enhanced MFC performances in generating bioelectricity and wastewater treatment.

show abstract

Next‐Generation Proton‐Exchange Membranes in Microbial Fuel Cells: Overcoming Nafion's Limitations

Sharma,

Đelević,

Herkendell

2024

Energy Tech

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The adoption of microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology hinges on the development of efficient proton‐exchange membranes (PEMs), which significantly influences fuel cell performance and cost. PEMs have a critical role in preventing oxygen crossover, maintaining electrochemical neutrality, and supporting microorganisms within MFCs. Nafion, the current industry‐standard PEM, grapples with environmental, cost, and performance issues. Although improvements to Nafion have been reported using additives, immersion in heteropolyacids, different pretreatment methods, and UV irradiation, many of the challenges still remain. Herein, the recent developments in the area of alternative PEMs are reviewed and analyzed. Among them, sulfonated aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly sulfonated polyether ether ketone, have emerged as top contenders in terms of scale up and commercial viability. At the same time, membranes based on polyvinyl alcohol, ionic liquids, and natural materials are also being actively researched for various MFC applications. Since most studies are short term and lab scale, there is a need evaluate long‐term stability and economic cost of PEMs in terms of standardized parameters such as power‐to‐cost and normalized energy recovery. Additionally, for emerging low‐energy‐density MFC applications like biosensors and in vivo power sources, PEM properties and design need to be tailored carefully.

show abstract

Investigating the Performance of a Zinc Oxide Impregnated Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Low-Cost Cation Exchange Membrane in Microbial Fuel Cells

Cited by 11 publications

References 57 publications

Application of Biogenic TiO2 Nanoparticles as ORR Catalysts on Cathode for Enhanced Performance of Microbial Fuel Cell

Application of Biogenic TiO2 Nanoparticles as ORR Catalysts on Cathode for Enhanced Performance of Microbial Fuel Cell

Investigating the Sulfonated Chitosan/Polyvinylidene Fluoride-Based Proton Exchange Membrane with fSiO2 as Filler in Microbial Fuel Cells

Next‐Generation Proton‐Exchange Membranes in Microbial Fuel Cells: Overcoming Nafion's Limitations

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About