Improvement of microbial fuel cell performance using novel kaolin earthenware membrane coated with a polybenzimidazole layer

A proton exchange membrane (PEM) is one of the most critical and expensive components in a dual-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) that separates the anode and cathode chambers. The novel macroporous kaolin earthenware coated with polybenzimidazole (NKE-PBI) fabricated in this study could become an alternative to PEM membranes. Briefly, PBI powder was dissolved in dimethylacetamide. Thereafter, NKE was fabricated at different porosities (10%, 20%, and 30%) using different starch powder volumes, which acted as pore-forming agents. The NKE-PBI with 30 vol% starch powder content produced the highest power output of 2450 +/- 25 mW m(-2) (10.50 A m(-2)) and internal resistance of 71 +/- 19 omega under batch mode operation. The MFC-PEM reactor generated the lowest power output at the highest internal resistance of up to 1300 +/- 15 mW m(-2) (3.7 A m(-2)) and 313 +/- 16 omega, respectively. In this study, the nonselective porous NKE coated with PBI membranes improved proton conduction activity and displayed comparable power performance with that of Nafion 117 in a dual-chambered MFC. Therefore, a porous earthenware membrane coated with a proton conductor could become a potential separator in a scaled-up MFC system for commercialization.

Automated summary

The novel macroporous kaolin earthenware coated with polybenzimidazole (NKE-PBI) membrane showed improved proton conduction activity and comparable power performance with Nafion 117 in a dual-chambered MFC, making it a potential separator for commercialization in scaled-up MFC systems.