Enhanced performance of novel carbon nanotubes - sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (speek) composite proton exchange membrane in mfc application. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vidhyeswari, D.; Surendhar, A.; Bhuvaneshwari, S.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 293(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: SPEEK -- Proton exchange membrane -- Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) -- Microbial fuel cell -- Composite membrane; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133560
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) nanocomposite proton exchange membrane (PEM) was prepared by incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) at different weight percentages for microbial fuel cell (MFC) applications. Physico-chemical, thermal, mechanical and morphological characteristics of the prepared CNT-SPEEK composite membranes were analyzed using various techniques. Further, the water uptake capacity, Ion exchange capacity (IEC) and MFC performance of the CNT-SPEEK composite membranes were evaluated and compared with the pristine SPEEK membrane. Results show that incorporation of CNTs in SPEEK membranes exhibited a better water uptake capacity (34.18%–36.02%) and IEC (1.94–2.15 meq/g) compared to the SPEEK membrane. Improvement in membrane properties resulted in 2-fold higher power density compared to SPEEK membrane. Composite membrane with 0.75% CNT-SPEEK produced the higher power density (1.77 W/m 2 ) in comparison with all the membranes evaluated. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency values of the MFC with SPEEK composite membranes were also found to be around 90%. Overall, the results reveal that CNT-SPEEK composite membrane as a potential PEM for MFC applications. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Νοϖελ CNT-SPEEK composite membrane showed enhanced performance. Effect of CNT concentration in membrane preparation was analyzed. Chemical, thermal and mechanical characteristics of CNT modified SPEEK membrane substantiates the increased performance. Χομποσιτε CNT-SPEEK membrane exhibited 2 fold times higher output than SPEEK membrane.