Acid catalysed cross-linking of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) by glutaraldehyde: effect of crosslink density on the characteristics of PVA membranes used in single chambered microbial fuel cells

摘要: In the present study, acid catalysed cross-linking of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) with varying concentrations glutaraldehyde was analyzed and cross-linked PVAs were utilized as membrane separators in single chambered microbial fuel cells (MFCs). PVA (1, 2, 4 6%) has resulted a respective 2.8, 5.6, 32 34% degree PVA1, PVA2, PVA3 PVA4 membranes. Due to reduction available free volume membranes, progressive improvements rigidity impeded porosity observed increasing cross-link densities. succession, proton conductivities 7.53 × 10−3, 8.4 10−4, 1.2 10−4 4.5 10−5 S cm−1 from PVA3, The increased density enhanced mechanical strength but reduced other properties such water uptake Further, cast membranes assembled MEAs open air cathode MFCs where, maximum power current 119.13 ± 6 mW m−2 447.81 18 mA fitted MFC, using mixed firmicutes biocatalysts. With density, higher ohmic resistances MFCs, due lower oxygen diffusion anode, performance highly Electrogenic revealed an overall ∼93.45% COD removal 27 days operation, indicating efficiency MFCs. general, study depicts relevance different bio-energy conversion cells.