κ‐carrageenan/polyvinyl alcohol‐graphene oxide biopolymer composite membrane for application of air‐breathing passive direct ethanol fuel cells

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2022-06, Vol.139 (22), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Zakaria, Zulfirdaus, Kamarudin, Siti Kartom, Kudus, Muhammad Helmi Abdul, Wahid, Khairul Anuar Abd
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: batteries and fuel cells; Biopolymers; Carrageenan; Electrolytic cells; Ethanol; Fuel cells; Graphene; Literature reviews; Materials science; Maximum power density; Mechanical properties; Membranes; Polymers; Polyvinyl alcohol; Protons; renewable polymers
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.52256

In this article, new biopolymer composite membranes based on κ‐carrageenan, polyvinyl alcohol and graphene oxide (designated as κ‐car/PVA‐GO) were synthesized by casting method for the application of passive direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFCs). FTIR, XRD, and FESEM analysis proved that the κ‐car/PVA‐GO biopolymer composite membrane has been successfully fabricated. The fabrication of the κ‐car/PVA‐GO biopolymer composite membrane effectively increases the proton conductivity and ethanol barrier. The high proton conductivity is achieved 2.67 × 10−3 S/cm and the reduced permeability of ethanol 1.95 × 10−7 cm2/s at 30°C. Besides, PVA blend modification and the introduction of GO improve the mechanical properties of the κ‐car biopolymer. The maximum power density of the passive DEFCs is 3.84 mW/cm2 using the κ‐car/PVA‐GO biopolymer composite membrane, which is higher than the Nafion membrane, which achieved only 2.02 mW/cm2 in a similar operating condition of passive DEFCs at 30°C. Furthermore, the κ‐car/PVA‐GO biopolymer composite membrane could be maintained in a fuel cell atmosphere for 1000 h. According to our review of the literature, there are no studies have used the carrageenan‐based membrane in the application of passive DEFCs. This is a promising biopolymer electrolyte membrane for use in passive DEFCs. ‐ κ‐Car/PVA‐GO biopolymer composite membrane was well‐synthesized. ‐ The presence of functional groups successfully increased ionic conductivity. ‐ Introduction of GO and three‐networking dimension reduced ethanol permeability. ‐ The modification of PVA and GO within the κ‐Car biopolymer truly improved the properties of new PEMs.