Synthesis, characterization and performance evaluation of Fe3O4/PES nano composite membranes for microbial fuel cell

In this study, nanocomposites based on polyethersulfone (PES) with different amounts of Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been synthesized, to be used as proton exchange membranes in a microbial fuel cell (MFC). Such new low-cost separators were fabricated by melt blending and tested in an MFC system. The membranes have been characterized in terms of their mechanical and thermal properties and the results compared to those of commercially available ones (Nafion 117 and CMI 7000). The efficiency of the newly synthesized membranes was assessed in H-type MFC system. Synthetic wastewater using sodium acetate as carbon source was prepared. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) reduction, pH and Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) were daily monitored. Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) was used to optimize the amount of nanoparticles in terms of maximum current and power. The maximum power (9.59 ± 1.18 mW m−2) and current density (38.38 ± 4.73 mA m−2) generation were obtained by using a composite with 20 wt% of nanoparticles. Results of mechanical characterization pointed out that increasing nanoparticles content can compromise the mechanical properties of membranes leading to a significant brittle behavior, while the tensile strength was found to be suitable for durable MFC operations.