Development of the highly performed chitosan based thin film towards the sustainability of direct methanol fuel cell

ABSTRACT

We used a new strategy to develop a hybrid membrane by impregnating hygroscopic zirconia and ionic liquid in the chitosan-PVA blend. The effects of ionic liquids on the water uptake, IEC, phase transition behavior, methanol permeability, and proton conductivity of the hybrid membrane were studied. The ionic liquids have a synergetic effect on the chain flexibility and tensile strength of the thin film. The developed hybrid membrane has the lowest methanol permeability of 0.94 × 10⁻⁷ cm²s⁻¹. The polarization curve obtained for a fuel cell operating at 70°C and 2 M methanol feed provides the maximum power density of 97 mWcm⁻².

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Ionic-Liquid
• hygroscopic zirconium oxide
• DMFC
• methanol permeability
• proton conductivity
• power density

Research Highlights

i. New cost effective hybrid membrane was developed by impregnating hygroscopic zirconia and ionic liquid in the chitosan-PVA blend.

ii. Extra charge carrier produced by ionic liquids increases ion exchange capacity of the hybrid membrane.

iii. Ionic liquids have a synergetic effect on the chain flexibility and tensile strength of the thin film.

iv. Ionic liquids bulky side group blocks the methanol migration sites in the polymer matrix, thereby reducing methanol cross-over.

v. Ionic liquids increases the ionic conductivity and selectivity of hybrid membrane at reduced humidity conditions.

vi. At 70°C and 2M methanol feed, Fuel cell equipped with developed thin film provides the maximum power density of 97 mW/cm² at a current density of 440 mA/cm².

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rabiranjan Murmu

Rabiranjan Murmu is working as an Assistant Professor at Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology Sarang, Odisha, India. He is a Ph.D reserach scholar in the Department of Chemical Enginerring, Jadavpur University, India. His research interest includes proton conducting membrane for fuel cell, biodisel production and surface coating.

Debashis Roy

Debashis Roy is working as a full time professor at Department of Chemical Engineering, Jadavpur University, India. His reserch interest inculdes biorections and bioseparation.

Harekrushna Sutar

Harekrushna Sutar is working as an Assistant Professor at Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology Sarang, Odisha, India. His research area includes coating technology, tribology, polymer science, fluidization and bioremediation.

Pragyan Senapati

Pragyan Senapati is working as an Assistant Professor at Department of Mechanical Engineering, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemped to Be University) Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. Her research interest includes Tribology, composite materials, surface and coating technologies.

Sarat Chandra Patra

Sarat Chandra Patra has obtained his master degree (M.Tech) at Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology Sarang, Chemical Enginerring. His research interest includes hybrid membrane for direct methanol fuel cell.