The Optimization Performance of Fibrous Sodium Alginate Co-Polymer in Direct Methanol/Ethanol Fuel Cells

A novel grafting polymer was synthesied via the grafting of itaconic acid (IA) and co-acrylamide (Am) onto sodium alginate (NaAlg) for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) application. Optimization of the copolymerization factors affecting polymerization, including initiator concentration, monomer concentration, temperature, and time, has been investigated. Functionalization with polyaniline (PANI) on grafted polymer has been done. The FT-IR, X-ray, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscope were used to characterize newly fabricated materials. These grafted polymers based on sodium alginate acted as electrocatalysts in the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). NaAlg-g-Am-co-IA-g-PANI/graphite electro-catalyst for MOR demonstrated exceptional electrochemical activity, delivering a high current density of about 20 mAcm 2 and long-term stability. This remarkable electro-catalytic performance towards MOR of NaAlg-g-Am-co-IA-g-PANI is due to its unique fibrous structure, which facilitates electron transport and increases electrocatalyst porosity, allowing charge carriers to move to its matrix, which is the main reason for this improvement in electrochemical performance. This research focuses on a simple method for creating grafted polymer-based electrocatalysts for DMFCs in industrial applications.