Phosphorylated nata de banana as polymer electrolyte membrane in fuel cells

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to prepare and characterize nata de banana (NDB) and phosphorylated nata de banana (NDBP) membranes for use in fuel cells as polymer electrolyte membranes. Banana peel juice was fermented with Acetobacter xylinum and subsequently molded into a nata de banana membrane in this study. This membrane was phosphorylated by adding various quantities of phosphoric acid solution to it (1.5 M, 2 M, and 2.5 M). Several approaches were used to characterize these membranes, including functional group analysis using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, ion exchange capacity (IEC), swelling degree (%SI), mechanical properties, and morphological characterization using a scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray analyser. The results showed that NDBP has a higher ion exchange capacity and degree of swelling than NDB, and that the optimum membrane condition is 2 M phosphoric acid, with a 5.14 m Eq g−1 ion exchange capacity and a 19.06 % swelling index. The cross-section of the NDB and NDBP membranes had a regular and good structure of the cellulose fiber pattern, according to morphological examination. Using a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray analyser, the phosphorus levels were identified in modest amounts (approximately 0.5 %). This also suggests that the phosphorylation event on the membrane of the nata de banana was successful. It can be inferred that electrolyte membranes can be manufactured using environmentally benign natural resources. The phosphorylated nata de banana membrane can be employed as a polymer electrolyte membrane in a fuel cell, according to these findings.