Medium-chain-length poly-3-hydroxyalkanoates-carbon nanotubes composite as proton exchange membrane in microbial fuel cell |
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| Authors: | Hindatu Yusuf Syed Mohammad Daniel Syed Mohamed Ramesh Subramaniam |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;2. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Bauchi State University, Gadau, Bauchi State, Nigeria;3. Department of Physics, Center for Ionics University of Malaya, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
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| Abstract: | Medium-chain-length poly-3-hydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and carboxyl group-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MC) were used to fabricate a composite membrane for application in a double-chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC). MC was composited into PHA at 5%, 10%, and 20% w/w via ultrasound dispersion blending method. PHA-MC composite was compared with Nafion 117 as proton exchange membrane in MFC operated with palm oil mill effluent (POME) wastewater. The composite exhibited prerequisite separator membrane characteristics. The dispersion of MC in the polymer matrix increased its interfacial surface area and water uptake properties. PHA-MC10% membrane in MFC showed maximum power density of 361?mW/m2, which was comparable with Nafion 117 (372?mW/m2). Internal resistance decrease, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, coulombic efficiency (CE), and conductivity of the PHA-MC10% were superior to Nafion 117. The environmental-friendly material could provide an alternative towards realizing practical MFC application. |
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| Keywords: | Carbon nanotubes Microbial fuel cell Medium-chain-length poly-3-hydroxyalkanoates Proton exchange membrane Wastewater |
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