Polyvinylidene Fluoride Nanofiber Composite Membrane Coated with Perfluorinated Sulfuric Acid for Microbial Fuel Cell Application

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2020 Sep 1;20(9):5711-5715. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2020.17622.

Abstract

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is bioelectrochemical system that enables the biochemical activities of bacteria to generate electricity. A composite membrane was prepared from polyvinylidene fluoride nanofiber coated with perfluorinated sulfuric acid ionomer (PVDF-PFSA) and evaluated as a replacement for the commercially available Nafion membrane, which is commonly used in MFC reactors. The power density obtained with the PVDF-PFSA composite membrane was higher than that obtained with the Nafion membrane in MFC reactors. The PVDF-PFSA composite membrane produced a maximum power density of 548 mW/m². Hence, the PVDF-PFSA composite reported here is a promising candidate for use as a proton exchange membrane in energy devices and water treatment systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bioelectric Energy Sources*
  • Electricity
  • Electrodes
  • Nanofibers*
  • Polyvinyls
  • Sulfuric Acids

Substances

  • Polyvinyls
  • Sulfuric Acids
  • polyvinylidene fluoride
  • sulfuric acid