Fabrication of alginate-based multi-crosslinked biomembranes for direct methanol fuel cell application

The alginate-based multi-crosslinked biomembranes (ABMCBs) were prepared mainly with sodium alginate as matrix and self-made functionalized organosilane containing different groups as additive. The properties of ABMCBs with various additive loading were investigated as proton exchange membranes (PEMs). The results showed that higher water absorption and lower swelling were obtained simultaneously with increasing additive loading, which is very beneficial to the use of PEMs. The ABMCB-4 containing 40 wt% additive exhibited the optimal selectivity and maximum power density, which were obviously higher than that of commercial Nafion^@ 117. Furthermore, ABMCB-4 possessed excellent mechanical property, methanol barrier and stability, indicating its potential adaptability as PEM for direct methanol fuel cell application.