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Solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) has been emerging in the high-performance and have played important roles for the past few years and are promising materials for electrochemical devices applications. Methylcellulose was chosen as a primary host as it conducts relatively low conductivity besides biodegradable, environmentally friendly and essential commercial cellulose that has been used in many industrial applications. This study is conducted to investigate the morphology of membrane using Methylcellulose (MC) as host, doping with potassium hydroxide (KOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG) as plasticizer and graphene. The properties of MC with the additive on the structure and performances of the membrane was studied. The obtained membrane was prepared via the casting technique method and was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). XRD pattern shows the crystalline structure shifted to amorphous nature of polymer electrolyte (PE) when adding the PEG onto the membrane. The presence of PE has potential application in electrochemical devices based on the results obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) are promising for portable power source due to ethanol non toxic, renewable and high energy density. DEFC is grouped according to the type of membrane used either acidic and alkaline. In this review, the development of acidic membrane and alkaline membrane of previous literature is presented including the commercial membranes. In addition to that, different types of polymeric and filler including organic and inorganic membrane is discussed. Membrane performance and behavior is determined from it's characterization covering variables such as water uptake, ion exchange capacity, ethanol permeability, conductivity and membrane morphology. Future membrane development is discussed towards to maximized the DEFC performance ,that will enable the technology entering the commercial market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]