Browsing by Author "Guler, Enver"
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Article Citation Count: 9Characterization and fuel cell performance of divinylbenzene crosslinked phosphoric acid doped membranes based on 4-vinylpyridine grafting onto poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) films(Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, 2018) Güler, Enver; Sadeghi, Sahl; Gursel, Selmiye Alkan; Chemical EngineeringThe effect of divinylbenzene (DVB) as crosslinker on the graft polymerization of 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) from poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) films was studied. The resulted films were doped with phosphoric acid (PA) and characterized for mechanical, surface, thermal properties, and fuel cell performance. The crosslinked membrane obtained from grafting a mixture of 4VP with 1% DVB improved the polymerization kinetics and resulted in about 50% graft level depending on graft conditions. The crosslinked membranes were also found to have better mechanical properties compared to its non-crosslinked counterpart. The resulted membrane exhibited proton conductivity as high as 75 mS/cm under 50% relative humidity (RH) at 120 degrees C, besides almost doubling the power output of fuel cell compared to a non-crosslinked membrane. To the best of our knowledge, DVB crosslinked 4VP based ETFE membranes were, for the first time, tested in practical fuel cell test station correlating their performance to operating temperature. Furthermore, surface properties of produced membranes were additionally correlated to the degree of crosslinking. Humidity dependence is less pronounced in the produced membranes resulting in strong potential for testing at intermediate temperature (80-120 degrees C) polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Article Citation Count: 10Comparison of Physicochemical Properties of Two Types of Polyepichlorohydrin-Based Anion Exchange Membranes for Reverse Electrodialysis(Mdpi, 2022) Güler, Enver; Guler, Enver; Chemical EngineeringThe development of the most effective, suitable and economic ion-exchange membranes is crucial for reverse electrodialysis (RED)-the most widely studied process to harvest salinity gradient energy from mixing seawater and river water. RED utilizes two types of membranes as core elements, namely cation exchange membranes (CEM) and anion exchange membranes (AEM). Since the preparation of AEMs is more complex compared to CEMs, the design and development of anion exchange membranes have been the focus in this study. Homogeneous AEMs based on two types of polyepichlorohydrin (PECH) with different chlorine amounts (PECH-H, 37 wt% and PECH-C, 25 wt%) were synthesized, and first-time benchmarking of the membrane properties was conducted. In addition to physicochemical membrane properties, some instrumental analyses such as SEM, FTIR and DSC were investigated to characterize these anion-exchange membranes. Based on the results, although the PECH-H-type membrane had enhanced ion-exchange properties, PECH-C-based anion-exchange membranes exhibited a higher power density of 0.316 W/m(2) in a lab-scale RED system. Evidently, there is room for the development of new types of PECH-C-based AEMs with great potential for energy generation in the RED process.Article Citation Count: 4Effect of Co-Existing Ions on Salinity Gradient Power Generation by Reverse Electrodialysis Using Different Ion Exchange Membrane Pairs(Mdpi, 2022) Güler, Enver; Altiok, Esra; Guler, Enver; Kabay, Nalan; Chemical EngineeringThis study investigates the influence of co-existing ions on the salinity gradient power generation performance of the reverse electrodialysis (RED) using three different commercial ion exchange membrane pairs. The feed solutions, including the mixture of two different salts, were prepared with 90 wt.% of NaCl and 10 wt.% of LiCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2 or Na2SO4 by keeping the salt ratio between high concentrate solution and low concentrate solution constant as 1:30 (g/g) at various flow velocities (50, 125 and 200 mL/min). It was observed that the divalent ions exhibited a negative impact on the performance of the RED system due to their high valence and low ionic mobility depending on their high hydrated radius and low diffusion coefficients compared to those of the monovalent ions. On the other hand, the effect of the monovalent ions differed according to the properties of ion exchange membranes used in the RED stack. When the power generation performances of ion exchange membrane pairs employed in the RED stack were compared, it was considered that Neosepta AMX and CMX membranes provided the highest power density due to their low membrane thicknesses, low electrical resistances, and relatively high ion exchange capacities compared to other two commercial ion exchange membrane pairs.Article Citation Count: 21Enhancing proton conductivity via sub-micron structures in proton conducting membranes originating from sulfonated PVDF powder by radiation-induced grafting(Elsevier Science Bv, 2018) Güler, Enver; Sanli, Lale Isikel; Guler, Enver; Gursel, Selmiye Alkan; Chemical EngineeringWe report here submicron-structured proton conducting poly(vinylidene fluoride)-graft-poly(styrene sulfonic acid) (PVDF-g-PSSA) membranes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Highly conductive proton exchange membranes were obtained by single-step radiation grafting of sodium styrene sulfonate (SSS) to powder-form PVDF, followed by casting and subsequent solvent evaporation. The obtained submicron structure of membrane through solvent evaporation led to the arrangement of ionic channels proving increasing proton conductivity with the increase in graft level. In addition, a temperature above melting point of PVDF was used for solvent evaporation to allow melted PVDF to fill the formed pores, providing denser structure resulting in improved mechanical properties of the membranes. SSS grafting to PVDF powder was verified by NMR spectroscopy, and resultant membranes were characterized for proton conductivity, water up-take, morphology, mechanical and thermal properties, and fuel cell performance. According to preliminary tests, proton conductivities which were observed to increase with graft level were found to be around 70 mS cm(2) at 35% graft level. Thus, this led to a promising power density of 250 mW/cm(2) at 650 mA/cm(2).Article Citation Count: 3Further Development of Polyepichlorohydrin Based Anion Exchange Membranes for Reverse Electrodialysis by Tuning Cast Solution Properties(Mdpi, 2022) Güler, Enver; Cihanoglu, Aydin; Guler, Enver; Gomez-Coma, Lucia; Altiok, Esra; Arda, Muserref; Kabay, Nalan; Chemical EngineeringRecently, there have been several studies done regarding anion exchange membranes (AEMs) based on polyepichlorohydrin (PECH), an attractive polymer enabling safe membrane fabrication due to its inherent chloromethyl groups. However, there are still undiscovered properties of these membranes emerging from different compositions of cast solutions. Thus, it is vital to explore new membrane properties for sustainable energy generation by reverse electrodialysis (RED). In this study, the cast solution composition was easily tuned by varying the ratio of active polymer (i.e., blend ratio) and quaternary agent (i.e., excess diamine ratio) in the range of 1.07-2.00, and 1.00-4.00, respectively. The membrane synthesized with excess diamine ratio of 4.00 and blend ratio of 1.07 provided the best results in terms of ion exchange capacity, 3.47 mmol/g, with satisfactory conductive properties (area resistance: 2.4 omega center dot cm(2), electrical conductivity: 6.44 mS/cm) and high hydrophilicity. RED tests were performed by AEMs coupled with the commercially available Neosepta CMX cation exchange membrane (CEMs).Article Citation Count: 12Investigations on the effects of operational parameters in reverse electrodialysis system for salinity gradient power generation using central composite design (CCD)(Elsevier, 2022) Güler, Enver; Kaya, Tugce Zeynep; Othman, Nur Hidayati; Kinali, Orhan; Kitada, Soma; Guler, Enver; Kabay, Nalan; Chemical EngineeringReverse electrodialysis (RED) can be utilized for the production of renewable energy from salinity gradients. However, there are many key parameters that could influence the performance of RED. This study investigates the use RSM for development of a predictive power density (PD) and open-circuit voltage (OCV) model for the RED system. A three-factor central composite design (CCD) was used to quantify the effects of flow velocity (X-1), salinity ratio (X-2), and number of cell pairs (X-3) towards PD and OCV. A total of 17 experimental data were fitted and ANOVA was used to validate the accuracy of the models. 3D and surface plots were created to foresee the optimal levels of each variable. It was found that flow velocity and salinity ratio have the most dominant influences on the RED performances as compared to number of cell pairs. The predicted PD and OCV values were found to be reasonably fit with the experimental data, validating the predictability of applied models. Therefore, this study suggests that CCD can be considered an effective tool for evaluating and optimizing the RED system using a minimum number of experiments.Article Citation Count: 13Metal-Salt Enhanced Grafting of Vinylpyridine and Vinylimidazole Monomer Combinations in Radiation Grafted Membranes for High-Temperature PEM Fuel Cells(Amer Chemical Soc, 2020) Güler, Enver; Sadeghi, Sahl; Kaplan, Begum Yarar; Guler, Enver; Gursel, Selmiye Alkan; Chemical EngineeringProton exchange membranes were prepared and characterized for utilization in high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells, HT-PEMFCs. 1-vinylimidazole (1-VIm) and 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) monomers were simultaneously grafted onto pre-irradiated ETFE (ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene) films which were prepared using gamma-rays with a dose of 100 kGy, as a robust substrate to prepare acid-base composite membranes. The grafting reaction was performed at 60 degrees C for 24 h followed by protonation via phosphoric acid doping in the subsequent step. The effect of adding ferrous salts as promoters in grafting was investigated by characterization of resultant membranes via thermal gravimetric analysis and mechanical tests. The fuel cell tests were conducted under different relative humidities (RHs) and applied temperatures. Membranes prepared with salt addition exhibited superior proton conductivities. Results including up to 80 mS cm(-1) conductivity at 110 degrees C in 60% RH and excellent thermal stability, even at 300 degrees C, suggest these membranes are promising for HT-PEMFC applications.Article Citation Count: 14Performance of Reverse Electrodialysis System for Salinity Gradient Energy Generation by Using a Commercial Ion Exchange Membrane Pair with Homogeneous Bulk Structure(Mdpi, 2021) Güler, Enver; Kaya, Tugce Zeynep; Guler, Enver; Kabay, Nalan; Bryjak, Marek; Chemical EngineeringSalinity gradient energy is a prominent alternative and maintainable energy source, which has considerable potential. Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is one of the most widely studied methods to extract this energy. Despite the considerable progress in research, optimization of RED process is still ongoing. In this study, effects of the number of membrane pairs, ratio of salinity gradient and feed velocity on power generation via the reverse electrodialysis (RED) system were investigated by using Fujifilm cation exchange membrane (CEM Type 2) and FujiFilm anion exchange membrane (AEM Type 2) ion exchange membranes. In the literature, there is no previous study based on a RED system equipped with Fujifilm AEM Type II and CEM Type II membranes that have homogeneous bulk structure. Using 400 mu m of intermembrane distance, maximum obtainable power density by 5 pairs of Fujifilm membranes at 1:45 salinity ratio and with a linear flow rate of 0.833 cm/s was 0.426 W/m(2).Review Citation Count: 10Principles of reverse electrodialysis and development of integrated-based system for power generation and water treatment: a review(Walter de Gruyter Gmbh, 2022) Güler, Enver; Kabay, Nalan; Guler, Enver; Chemical EngineeringReverse electrodialysis (RED) is among the evolving membrane-based processes available for energy harvesting by mixing water with different salinities. The chemical potential difference causes the movement of cations and anions in opposite directions that can then be transformed into the electrical current at the electrodes by redox reactions. Although several works have shown the possibilities of achieving high power densities through the RED system, the transformation to the industrial-scale stacks remains a challenge particularly in understanding the correlation between ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) and the operating conditions. This work provides an overview of the RED system including its development and modifications of IEM utilized in the RED system. The effects of modified membranes particularly on the psychochemical properties of the membranes and the effects of numerous operating variables are discussed. The prospects of combining the RED system with other technologies such as reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, membrane distillation, heat engine, microbial fuel cell), and flow battery have been summarized based on open-loop and closed-loop configurations. This review attempts to explain the development and prospect of RED technology for salinity gradient power production and further elucidate the integrated RED system as a promising way to harvest energy while reducing the impact of liquid waste disposal on the environment.Article Citation Count: 3Salinity gradient energy conversion by custom-made interpolymer ion exchange membranes utilized in reverse electrodialysis system(Elsevier Sci Ltd, 2023) Güler, Enver; Kaya, Tugce Zeynep; Smolinska-Kempisty, Katarzyna; Guler, Enver; Kabay, Nalan; Tomaszewska, Barbara; Bryjak, Marek; Chemical EngineeringReverse electrodialysis (RED) is one of methods to extract salinity gradient energy between two aqueous solu-tions with different salt concentrations. In this work, custom-made interpolymer ion exchange membranes were employed in the RED stack. The effects of divalent (Mg2+, Ca2+ , SO42-) and monovalent (Li+, K+ and Cl-) ions in the feed solutions prepared from NaCl salt as a function of such process parameters as number of membrane pairs, flow rate , salinity ratio on power generation by the RED method were studied. It was shown that the maximum power density of 0.561 W/m2 was reached by using three membrane pairs using 1:45 of salt ratio with a feed flow rate of 120 mL/min using only NaCl salt in the feed solutions. The maximum power density was 0.398 W/m2 at 120 mL/min of the flow rate of the feed solutions composed of 90 wt% NaCl and 10 wt% KCl by using a salt ratio of 1:30 while the lowest power density of 0.246 W/m2 was obtained with a feed flow rate of 30 mL/min in the presence of SO42-ions with a similar salt ratio. Consequently, it was seen that while the presence of divalent ions in NaCl solutions had negative impact on power generation by RED system, the addition of monovalent ions having smaller hydrated radius than that of the Na+ ions contributed positively to the power generation.Article Citation Count: 0Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticle-Immobilized Antibacterial Anion-Exchange Membranes for Salinity Gradient Energy Production by Reverse Electrodialysis(Amer Chemical Soc, 2024) Güler, Enver; Cihanoglu, Aydin; Hamaloglu, Kadriye Ozlem; Altiok, Esra; Guler, Enver; Tuncel, Ali; Kabay, Nalan; Chemical EngineeringBiofouling, stemming from the attachment of living microorganisms, such as bacteria, which form resilient biofilms on membrane surfaces, presents a significant challenge that hampers the efficiency of anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) in reverse electrodialysis (RED) applications. This limitation curtails the generation of electrical power from salinity gradients, which notably is a sustainable form of energy known as osmotic energy. RED stands as a clean and promising process to harness this renewable energy source. This study aimed to impart antibacterial activity to synthesized AEMs by using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). For that purpose, AgNPs were synthesized at 30 degree celsius using two different pH values (6.0 and 9.0) and immobilized into synthesized AEMs using the dip-coating technique. In nanoparticle synthesis, ascorbic acid and trisodium citrate were used as a reductant and a stabilizer, respectively, to take control of the particle size and agglomeration behavior. The results indicated that AgNPs synthesized at pH 6.0 were dispersed on the AEM surface without agglomeration. The stability of AgNPs immobilized on the membrane surface was tested under low- and high-saline solutions. The antibacterial activities of AEMs were determined with the colony-counting method using Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacterial suspension. The viability of bacteria dramatically decreased after the immobilization of AgNPs in the AEMs. In the short- and long-term RED tests, it has been observed that the AEMs having AgNPs have high energy-generating potentials, and power density up to 0.372 W/m(2) can be obtained.