Enhanced surface functionality and microbial fuel cell performance of chitosan membranes through phosphorylation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Chitosan (CS) is a biopolymer with potential for proton exchange membranes (PEMs) in microbial fuel cells (MFCs).
• Modifications like plasticization and cross-linking can alter chitosan's properties for improved performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of plasticization and cross-linking on chitosan-based PEMs for MFCs.
• To evaluate the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of modified chitosan membranes.
• To assess the performance of these membranes in bioelectricity generation and wastewater treatment.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of chitosan, sorbitol-chitosan (S-CS), phosphorylated-chitosan (CS-P), and phosphorylated-sorbitol-chitosan (S-CS-P) membranes.
• Characterization using FESEM-EDS, FTIR-ATR, XRD, TGA, tensile strength, and sorption studies.
• Performance evaluation through power density measurements and cation exchange capacity (CEC) determination.

Main Results:

• Phosphorylated-chitosan (CS-P) membranes achieved the highest power density (130.03 mW/m²).
• Phosphorylation increased CEC and tensile strength due to enhanced ionic surface groups.
• CS-P membranes demonstrated 49.07% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal from municipal wastewater.

Conclusions:

• Chemical modifications, particularly phosphorylation, significantly enhance chitosan's properties for PEM applications in MFCs.
• Modified chitosan offers a sustainable and effective alternative for bioelectricity generation and wastewater treatment.
• The study highlights the potential of abundant biopolymers in advanced energy and environmental technologies.