Membran Komposit Polisufon Tersulfonasi-Natrium Alginat untuk Aplikasi Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

Abstract

Energy demand triggers people to find other renewable energy alternatives, such as fuel cell. In this study composite membrane of sulfonated polysulfone-sodium alginate (sPSf) was synthesized characterized and then applied in direct methanol fuel cell. Sulfonation was started at 40 oC for 1 hour and then sodium alginate was added to improve membrane performances. The degree of sulfonation through sulfonation process was 45% and a peak at 1725 cm-1 in Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer showed that 1,2,4- substituted sulfonate group exist in ortho position. Composite membrane was produced by adding sulfonated polysulfone and sodium alginate with concentration of 2% and 3%. The composite membrane of sPSf-sodium alginate 3% gave the highest proton conductivity and voltage with values 1.634 х10-3 S/cm and 0.409 volt, respectively. This result showed that the composite membrane of sPSf-sodium alginate can be applied in direct methanol fuel cell system