Nafion composites based on sulfonated SBA-15 were tested as separators in MFCs.
Nafion/SBA-(SO3H 10mol%) membrane gives a PDmax 3 times higher than that of Nafion.
The same membrane offers 95% COD removal, εc of 34% and high resistance to biofouling.
The use of SO3H-SBA15 is a powerful strategy to improve the performances of Nafion MFCs.