Development of Bacterial Cellulose Membrane from Sulfation SCOBY Kombucha for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) Applications

Sauli Safitri; Khairuddin Khairuddin; Ni Ketut Sumarni

doi:10.14710/jksa.29.4.288-295

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/jksa.29.4.288-295

Development of Bacterial Cellulose Membrane from Sulfation SCOBY Kombucha for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) Applications

Sauli Safitri¹ , Khairuddin Khairuddin²

, Ni Ketut Sumarni²

¹Master of Chemistry Study Program, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia

²Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia

Received: 16 Dec 2025; Revised: 20 Feb 2026; Accepted: 1 Apr 2026; Published: 25 May 2026.

BibTex Citation Data :

@article{JKSA80550,
    author = {Sauli Safitri and Khairuddin Khairuddin and Ni Ketut Sumarni},
    title = {Development of Bacterial Cellulose Membrane from Sulfation SCOBY Kombucha for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) Applications},
    journal = {Jurnal Kimia Sains dan Aplikasi},
  volume = {29},
    number = {4},
    year = {2026},
    keywords = {Electrolyte membrane; SCOBY Kombucha; Sulfation; Fuel cell; PEMFC},
    abstract = {Electrolyte membranes are critical components in determining the performance of PEMFC systems. The use of commercial membranes remains constrained by high production costs, thereby necessitating the development of biomaterial-based alternatives. Cellulose derived from SCOBY Kombucha presents a promising candidate for electrolyte membranes, yet its intrinsic proton conductivity is insufficient and requires chemical enhancement. This study aimed to optimize the sulfation process to improve the electrochemical properties of SCOBY-based cellulose membranes. Variations in reaction time and sulfuric acid concentration were investigated, followed by characterization of the modified membranes through proton conductivity, ion-exchange capacity, swelling degree, mechanical properties, thermal stability, FTIR, and SEM-EDX analyses. The optimum condition was achieved at 2 hours and 2 M, yielding a proton conductivity of 5.44×10 −2  S/cm −1 , an ion-exchange capacity of 3.58 meq/g, and a swelling degree of 111%, while exhibiting moderate mechanical strength and good thermal stability. FTIR and SEM-EDX confirmed successful incorporation of sulfonic acid groups. Overall, the modification produced a membrane with enhanced proton conductivity and ion-exchange capacity, although further mechanical reinforcement is required for practical PEMFC applications.},
   issn = {2597-9914},   pages = {288--295}  doi = {10.14710/jksa.29.4.288-295},
    url = {https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/ksa/article/view/80550}
}

Citation Format:

Abstract

Electrolyte membranes are critical components in determining the performance of PEMFC systems. The use of commercial membranes remains constrained by high production costs, thereby necessitating the development of biomaterial-based alternatives. Cellulose derived from SCOBY Kombucha presents a promising candidate for electrolyte membranes, yet its intrinsic proton conductivity is insufficient and requires chemical enhancement. This study aimed to optimize the sulfation process to improve the electrochemical properties of SCOBY-based cellulose membranes. Variations in reaction time and sulfuric acid concentration were investigated, followed by characterization of the modified membranes through proton conductivity, ion-exchange capacity, swelling degree, mechanical properties, thermal stability, FTIR, and SEM-EDX analyses. The optimum condition was achieved at 2 hours and 2 M, yielding a proton conductivity of 5.44×10⁻² S/cm⁻¹, an ion-exchange capacity of 3.58 meq/g, and a swelling degree of 111%, while exhibiting moderate mechanical strength and good thermal stability. FTIR and SEM-EDX confirmed successful incorporation of sulfonic acid groups. Overall, the modification produced a membrane with enhanced proton conductivity and ion-exchange capacity, although further mechanical reinforcement is required for practical PEMFC applications.

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Keywords: Electrolyte membrane; SCOBY Kombucha; Sulfation; Fuel cell; PEMFC

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Section: Research Articles

Language : EN

In Vol 29, No 4 (2026): Volume 29 Issue 4 Year 2026

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