|
authors |
Vilela, C; Morais, JD; Silva, ACQ; Munoz-Gil, D; Figueiredo, FML; Silvestre, AJD; Freire, CSR |
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nationality |
International |
|
journal |
NANOMATERIALS |
|
author keywords |
bacterial nanocellulose; lignosulfonates; mechanical performance; thermal-oxidative stability; ion-exchange membranes; biobased separators; ionic conductivity |
|
keywords |
NANOCOMPOSITE MEMBRANES; PROTONIC CONDUCTIVITY; COMPOSITE MEMBRANES; NANOCELLULOSE; LIGNIN; MECHANISMS; TRANSPORT; NAFION(R) |
|
abstract |
The utilization of biobased materials for the fabrication of naturally derived ion-exchange membranes is breezing a path to sustainable separators for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). In this investigation, bacterial nanocellulose (BNC, a bacterial polysaccharide) and lignosulfonates (LS, a by-product of the sulfite pulping process), were blended by diffusion of an aqueous solution of the lignin derivative and of the natural-based cross-linker tannic acid into the wet BNC nanofibrous three-dimensional structure, to produce fully biobased ion-exchange membranes. These freestanding separators exhibited good thermal-oxidative stability of up to about 200 degrees C, in both inert and oxidative atmospheres (N(2)and O-2, respectively), high mechanical properties with a maximum Young's modulus of around 8.2 GPa, as well as good moisture-uptake capacity with a maximum value of ca. 78% after 48 h for the membrane with the higher LS content. Moreover, the combination of the conducting LS with the mechanically robust BNC conveyed ionic conductivity to the membranes, namely a maximum of 23 mS cm(-1)at 94 degrees C and 98% relative humidity (RH) (in-plane configuration), that increased with increasing RH. Hence, these robust water-mediated ion conductors represent an environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional ion-exchange membranes for application in PEFCs. |
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publisher |
MDPI |
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isbn |
2079-4991 |
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year published |
2020 |
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volume |
10 |
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issue |
9 |
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digital object identifier (doi) |
10.3390/nano10091713 |
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web of science category |
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary |
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subject category |
Science & Technology - Other Topics; Materials Science |
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unique article identifier |
WOS:000580779000001
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