Data underlying the publication: Preparation of biodegradable membrane utilizing chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol, and assessment of its performance after coating with graphene conductive ink

Biodegradable membranes are crucial for environmental applications, offering sustainable and low-impact solutions. These membranes play a vital role in biodegradable batteries by separating the anode and cathode while facilitating proton movement. The aim of this study is to develop a biodegradable membrane using biodegradable polymers such as chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), reinforced with filter paper. In this research, a cost effective, biodegradable membranes using CS, PVA, and a 1:1 CS/PVA composite through solution-casting method were synthesized. The membranes were reinforced with cellulose filter paper and coated with water-resistant graphene conductive ink. Performance metrics, including swelling ratios, water uptake, ion exchange capacity, oxygen diffusion, proton conductivity, and degradation in compost tea, were evaluated. Uncoated CS membrane exhibited the highest water uptake (94.10%), while uncoated PVA membrane demonstrated the highest swelling ratio (150%) and ion exchange capacity (3.94 meq/g). Coated CS/PVA membrane showed the lowest oxygen diffusion coefficient (0.058 × 10⁻⁵ cm²/s) and the highest proton conductivity (1.74 mS/cm). All membranes exhibited slow degradation over 100 days. The findings of this research have significant implications beyond the laboratory, presenting a biodegradable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional membranes. These membranes can be utilized in the construction of biobatteries, which, in turn, can be employed to power low-cost devices.

可生物降解膜在环境应用中至关重要，可提供可持续且低环境影响的解决方案。此类膜在可生物降解电池中发挥关键作用：可分隔阳极与阴极，同时促进质子迁移。本研究旨在以壳聚糖（chitosan, CS）、聚乙烯醇（polyvinyl alcohol, PVA）等可生物降解聚合物为原料，辅以滤纸增强制备可生物降解膜。本研究采用溶液流延法（solution-casting method），制备了以CS、PVA及1:1配比CS/PVA复合材料为原料的低成本可生物降解膜；所制备的膜均以纤维素滤纸进行增强，并涂布防水石墨烯导电油墨。研究对多项性能指标进行了表征，包括溶胀率、吸水率、离子交换容量、氧扩散系数、质子传导率以及堆肥茶中的降解性能。未涂布的CS膜吸水率最高，达94.10%；未涂布的PVA膜则表现出最高的溶胀率（150%）与离子交换容量（3.94 meq/g）。涂布后的CS/PVA复合膜氧扩散系数最低，为0.058 × 10⁻⁵ cm²/s，同时质子传导率最高，达1.74 mS/cm。所有膜在100天内均表现出缓慢的降解特性。本研究的发现具有超出实验室范畴的重要应用价值，可为传统膜材料提供一种可生物降解、低成本且环境友好的替代方案。此类膜可用于构建生物电池，进而为低成本设备供电。