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Ion Exchange

Ion Exchange

Ion exchange chromatography separates charged molecules from a solution by reversibly exchanging them with mobile, or 'active', ions associated with the oppositely charged stationary phase. This method can be used to separate ions, soften and deionize water, and purify solutions. The polymers comprising the ion-exchange column are high-molecular-weight and chemically stable polymers, crosslinked to be porous and essentially insoluble. They are also functionalized with either acidic or...

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Electrophoretic Crystallization of Ultrathin High-performance Metal-organic Framework Membranes

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Published on: August 16, 2018

Alternative proton exchange membrane based on a bicomponent anionic nanocellulose system.

Fernanda Brito Dos Santos¹, Joice Kaschuk², Gabriel Banvillet³

¹Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z3; Bioproducts Institute, University of British Columbia, 2360 E Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.

Carbohydrate Polymers

|June 10, 2024

Summary

This study introduces fully bio-based polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) using nanocellulose for fuel cells. Sulfonated nanocellulose membranes show performance comparable to commercial options, offering a sustainable alternative.

Keywords:

Fuel cells Ion exchange membranes Nanocellulose Sulfonated CNF TEMPO-oxidized CNF

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Last Updated: Jun 24, 2025

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Published on: February 23, 2017

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Electrochemistry
Renewable Energy

Background:

Commercial polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) for fuel cells are costly, environmentally persistent, and have performance limitations.
Nanocellulose offers a sustainable, low-cost, and stable alternative with tunable properties for PEM applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and evaluate fully bio-based PEMs using two types of nanocellulose: TEMPO-oxidized and sulfonated.
To investigate the performance of individual and mixed nanocellulose types in a PEM matrix for fuel cell applications.

Main Methods:

Incorporation of TEMPO-oxidized and sulfonated nanocellulose into a PEM matrix.
Characterization of membrane properties including thermal-oxidative stability, mechanical robustness, and moisture uptake.
Performance evaluation of the bio-based PEMs for proton-exchange applications.

Main Results:

Sulfonated nanocellulose-based PEMs exhibit performance comparable to commercial and existing bio-based membranes.
Demonstrated excellent thermal-oxidative stability up to 190 °C.
Achieved high mechanical robustness (Young's modulus of 1.15 GPa) and significant moisture uptake (6330% after 48 h).

Conclusions:

Fully bio-based PEMs utilizing sulfonated nanocellulose are promising for proton-exchange membrane fuel cell applications.
Nanocellulose provides a sustainable pathway to overcome limitations of conventional PEMs.
The developed membranes offer a balance of stability, mechanical integrity, and performance.