‘DEVELOPMENT OF NANOCOMPOSITES OF FLUORINATED POLYMERS AS PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FOR APPLICATION IN MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS

Abstract

In this study, the basic aim was to prepare composite membranes with polymer backbone exhibiting enhanced properties and better performance in comparison with the pristine Nafion membrane. The dispersion of nanoparticles of titanium oxide (dispersed phase) into the sulphonated polymer (matrix phase), polyvinylidene-co-hexafluoropropylene added with Nafion was carried out. A series of membranes namely, S-0, S-1, S-3, S-5 and S-7 were prepared by adding 0%, 1%,3%,5% and 7% (by weight) under closely monitored conditions of temperature and rotational speed. The successful sulphonation of sulfonic acid groups at in the base polymer was confirmed by the FTIR results,that showed inclusion of sulfonic acid groups at 1164 cm-1. Amongst all the membranes that were fabricated, the 206 μm thick S-5 membrane emerged as the best candidate with an excellent value of proton conductivity equal to 3.85 x 10-2. This value is higher than that of the pristine Nafion (= 3.02 x 10-2). A water uptake value of 25.46% was recorded and its ion exchange capacity was 0.58 m.eq.g-1. A significant reduction in biofouling has been observed for this membrane in comparison to the pristine Nafion membrane using FE-SEM analysis.