Effect of cation transport of SPEEK - Rutile TiO2 electrolyte on microbial fuel cell performance

Rutile TiO2 was synthesized using the sol gel method and used for the preparation of polymer composite electrolyte membrane of TiO2 + SPEEK. The composite membranes prepared by solvent casting method showed improved oxygen mass transfer coefficient values and the transport of cations other than protons. The antifouling property of the composite membranes was observed in SEM images which were additionally supported by hemocytometer results. The improved ion exchange and water absorption capacity of composite membranes showed enhanced proton conductivity and electrochemical properties for the composite membranes. The prepared composite membranes were evaluated in single chamber microbial fuel cell and the results were compared with that of the Nafion 117 (R) under similar conditions. The results revealed that all the prepared composite membranes showed higher maximum power density and current density than that of the commercially available Nafion 117 (R). Among the prepared membranes. SPEEK 1 7.5% TiO2 composite membrane showed the highest power density (98.1 mW/m(2)) and current density (300 mA/m(2)) along with high proton conductivity, antifouling property. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved