Hydrogen production in two-chamber MEC using a low-cost and biodegradable poly(vinyl) alcohol/chitosan membrane

Hydrogen production was evaluated in two-chamber microbial electrolysis cells (MEC), where the chambers of the cell were separated using a new economical and environmentally friendly membrane made of poly (vinyl) alcohol/chitosan (PVA/CS). The MEC performance was compared to that of Nafion. The obtained results indicated that the MEC performance for hydrogen production did not show significant differences between the PVA/ CS and Nafion membranes. MEC with PVA/CS showed the hydrogen production rate and hydrogen yield of 1277 +/- 46 mL H(2)L(cat)(-1)d(-1) and 974 +/- 116 mL H-2 g(acetate)(-1), respectively. The PVA/CS membrane allowed acetate removal that was 7% higher than that of Nafion due to the lower pH gradient and a lower voltage drop that increased the ion transfer across the membrane.

Automated summary

The study evaluated hydrogen production in MEC using a new membrane made of PVA/CS and compared its performance to Nafion. The results showed that MEC with PVA/CS had similar hydrogen production performance to Nafion, with improved acetate removal.