Supported ionic liquid membrane based on [bmim][PF6] can be a promising separator to replace Nafion in microbial fuel cells and improve energy recovery: A comparative process evaluation

Koók, László and Kaufer, Barbara and Bakonyi, Péter and Rózsenberszki, Tamás and Rivera, Isaac and Buitrón, Germán and Bélafi-Bakó, Katalin and Nemestóthy, Nándor (2018) Supported ionic liquid membrane based on [bmim][PF6] can be a promising separator to replace Nafion in microbial fuel cells and improve energy recovery: A comparative process evaluation. JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE. pp. 215-225. ISSN 0376-7388

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Abstract

In this study, mixed culture bioelectrochemical systems were operated with various membrane separators: one prepared with 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF6]) ionic liquid and another one called Nafion, used as reference for comparative evaluation. In the course of experiments, the primary objective was to reveal the influence of membranes-type on microbial fuel cell (MFC) behavior by applying a range of characterization methods. These included cell polarization measurements, monitoring of dehydrogenase enzyme activity and cyclic voltammetry for the analysis of anode biofilm properties and related electron transfer mechanism. Additionally, MFC performances for both membranes were assessed based on Coulombic efficiency as well as substrate (acetate) concentration dependency of energy yields. As a result, it was demonstrated that the ionic liquid-containing membrane could be suitable to compete with Nafion and appears as a candidate to be further investigated for microbial electrochemical applications.

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