TiO2-Si- or SrTiO3-Si-impregnated PVA-based low-cost proton exchange membranes for application in microbial fuel cell

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) were synthesized in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix by impregnating TiO2-Si or SrTiO3-Si as proton exchanger for microbial fuel cells (MFCs). These PEMs were physically characterized, which approved the presence of hygroscopic oxides like SiO(2)to increase the proton transfer due to the formation of Si-H along with the water channelling through TiO2 or SrTiO3 induced microstructural modifications. Chemical characterization techniques further illustrated their comparable performance to the commercially available Nafion-117 and superior performance than bare PVA membrane. Polarization curves for MFCs using TiO2-Si- or SrTiO3-Si-based PVA membranes exhibited a power density of 6.16 +/- 0.31 W m(-3)and 5.39 +/- 0.27 W m(-3), respectively. Power density of MFC with TiO2-Si membrane was comparable to that of the MFC using Nafion-117 (6.50 +/- 0.33 W m(-3)). Thus, comparable properties and 30-folds less synthesis cost of the fabricated TiO2-Si-impregnated PVA membrane in comparison to Nafion, demonstrate its potential for real-life applications in MFC.