Enhanced Microbial Desalination Cell Performance Utilizing Polyurethane-Modified Bio-Based Polymeric Membrane

Abstract

The current study employs the microbial desalination cell (MDC) and uses cost-effective bio-based polymeric membranes. The membrane was developed using the flowering plant Delonix regia flower pod powder (DRF), which was then mixed with polyurethane (PU) (Control MDC). The addition of filler material, glass powder derived from waste (DRFG), to the DRF: PU (50:50 v/v) mixture in a ratio of 1:1 (Test MDC) was done due to the presence of silicates in the elemental composition of glass powder, which will lead to improved hydration, power densities, and ion exchange capabilities. The study revealed that the DRF and DRFG membranes had an ion exchange capacity of 0.078 and 0.098 mmol H+/g, respectively. The analysis revealed that adding recycled glass powder increased the ion exchange capability by 1.25 times as compared to the control MDC. The membranes developed for the MDC system were used to treat the RO-reject water collected from a household RO system in Varanasi, India. The results showed that the power densities of control and test MDC systems were 55 and 230 mW/m2, respectively. Additionally, after 30 days of operation, the ion exchange capacity recorded was 0.040 and 0.095 mmol H+/g for control and test MDC systems, respectively.