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Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Journal Prestige (SJR): 0.738  Citation Impact (citeScore): 3 Number of Followers: 6  Open Access journalISSN (Print) 2194-1459 - ISSN (Online) 2194-1467 Published by SpringerOpen  [229 journals]
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- Development of thin film coatings with polypyrrole (ppy) by physical
plasma deposition technique (PAPVD) for electrochemical capacitor
Abstract: Abstract In this study, new polypyrrole films (ppy) were synthesized using a physical plasma deposition (PAPVD) system; where the equipment design and methodology for plasma-assisted pyrrole polymerization were improvement. The morphology, functional groups, and thermal stability of the polymer network films were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques, respectively. The electrochemical properties of the films as capacitor were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results observed by SEM showed that the ppy 100W-1 and ppy 100W-2 films present uniformity in their structure. The analyses of TGA and DSC confirmed the improvement in stability; meanwhile for 100W-1 film, the presence of ppy bonds was corroborated by XPS. Plasma-activated ppy 100W-1 film exhibited higher capacitance and minor Rct resistance than that obtained for ppy 100W-2 film. The specific capacitances values of ppy 100W-1 and ppy 100w-2 films are 196 and 150 F/g in 1 M KCl. After charging and discharging tests of 1000 cycles at 5 mA cm−2 current density of ppy 100W-1 film retains 89% of its initial capacitance. Therefore, ppy 100W-1 film showed to be a promising material for use as an electrochemical capacitor.
PubDate: 2023-02-21
- First principles study of optical properties of Ni- and Pd-doped TiO2 as
visible light catalyst
Abstract: Abstract Doping TiO2 with noble metals, transition metals, cations, anions have yielded very promising results in enhancing photocatalytic activity of TiO2 in the visible region and its role in generating alternate forms of energy. Noble metals in general can effectively slow down carrier recombination. However, the study of Pd and Ni as dopant can lead to a reliable and versatile TiO2-modified photocatalyst. In this paper, we explore the optical properties of Pd- and Ni-doped TiO2 by doping with 4.17% Ni and Pd dopant concentrations. The optical properties prove that Ni-doped TiO2 can absorb well in the visible region with an absorption coefficient of 1 × 105 cm−1. Hence, Ni-doped TiO2 can successfully alter the electronic and optical properties of TiO2 for favorable future applications. In the visible region, absorption coefficient of Pd-doped TiO2 supercell is around 1.2 × 105 cm−1 which is comparatively greater than that of pure TiO2 confirming its utility as a versatile and viable visible light photocatalyst. The other optical properties like reflectivity, refractivity, extinction coefficient and electron energy loss spectrum have also been studied.
PubDate: 2023-02-16
- Electrodeposited Cobalt–Copper mixed oxides for supercapacitor
electrodes and investigation of the Co/Cu ratio on the electrochemical
performance
Abstract: Abstract In this study, different Cobalt–Copper mixed oxides compositions for supercapacitor electrodes have been prepared, by means of electrodeposition and thermal annealing. The chemical–physical and electrochemical characterization of electrodes, as well as the effect of different Co/Cu in the ratios on the crystal lattice, electrode morphologies, and electrochemical performance of the electrodes, were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) tests. The results indicated that the electrode prepared from 0.06 M CoSO4·7H2O + 0.04 M CuSO4·5H2O solution (CC4) had a better electrochemical performance. The initial capacity of the CC4 electrode was 28.3 mAh/g at a scan rate of 5 mV/s with a coulombic efficiency of 94%. CC4 electrode featured capacity retention of 79.2% at a constant current density of 1 A/g after 5000 cycles.
PubDate: 2023-02-09
- Biomass stemmed activated carbon electrodes toward a significant electric
double-layer capacitor
Abstract: Abstract The primary goal of the current study is to improve the specific capacitance of electric double-layer (EDLC) device using biomass (Tribulus Terrestris) derived activated carbon electrodes synthesized by chemical activation method. Furthermore, high surface area carbon electrodes are characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), RAMAN spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to confirm the morphological structure. Finally, the electrochemical performance of fabricated EDLC proves a good agreement data using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Low Impedance Spectroscopy (LIS), and Galvanostatic Charge–Discharge (GCD) analysis showing the high specific capacitance of 115 Fg−1 for the optimized 1:2 activated carbon material.
PubDate: 2023-01-20
- Comparative analysis between traditional and emerging technologies:
economic and viability evaluation in a real case scenario
Abstract: Abstract This research work aims to study photovoltaic systems that generate energy for self-consumption using different traditional technologies, such as silicon, and emerging technologies, like nanowires and quantum. The photovoltaic system without batteries was implemented in a residential property in three different places, in Portugal. According to Portuguese Law, the sale of surplus energy to the grid is possible but the respective value for its selling is not defined. To evaluate the project viability, two different analyses are considered: with and without the sale of surplus energy to the grid. Results show that if there is no sale of excess energy produced to the grid, the project is not economically viable considering the four different technologies. Otherwise, using traditional technologies, the project is economically viable, presenting a payback time lower than 10 years. This shows that the introduction of nanostructures in solar cells is not yet a good solution in the application of solar systems namely with the current law. Furthermore, independently of the used technology, the current Portuguese law seems to difficult the investment return, which should not be the way to encourage the use of renewable sources.
PubDate: 2023-01-16
- Effect of concentration on the properties of nitrogen-doped zinc oxide
thin films grown by electrodeposition
Abstract: Abstract Zinc oxide is one of the most researched semiconductors owing to the outstanding properties that make it useful in various industrial applications, such as solar cells and other optoelectronics. In this work, ZnO thin films were prepared in five different concentrations and doped with four nitrogen atoms from triethylene tetramine (TETA) to fabricate a ZnO for optoelectronic applications using an electrodeposition technique. The doped ZnO thin films were synthesized and deposited on ITO glass substrates. The deposited thin films were annealed at 400°Cfor 60min in a furnace under the same conditions. The thin films' optical, electrical, and surface morphological properties were characterized using UV–Vis Spectrophotometer, Four Point Probe (FPP), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), respectively. The optical properties confirmed the film's suitability for various transparent device applications with a high optical transmittance of about 90% at the wavelength between 250 and 950 nm. The optical band gaps of 3.25 eV to 3.50 eV were obtained at ZnO concentrations from 0.2 M to 1.0 M. The SEM images depicted a polycrystalline nature of the films with irregular nanoparticle shapes across the substrates. Electrical results established the high conductivity of nitrogen-doped ZnO thin films, thereby making the thin films suitable as transparent conducting oxides for devices such as solar cells and optoelectronics.
PubDate: 2022-12-26
- Investigating the properties of tin-oxide thin film developed by
sputtering process for perovskite solar cells
Abstract: Abstract Tin oxide (SnO2) nano-crystalline thin films were deposited on silicon and glass substrates at room temperature by sputtering at a constant power of 30 W and different working pressure of 10, 7, and 5 mTorr. Surface morphology, electrical and optical properties of the films were investigated to optimise the deposition condition of the films as electron transport layer (ETL) for high-power conversion efficiency perovskite solar cells. The films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–Vis–NIR Spectrophotometer, and Four-point probe. SnO2 films obtained at working pressure of 10 mTorr exhibited uniform surface morphology with high light transmittance (90%) and conductivity (4 S/m). These sputtered SnO2 films appeared to have shown promising properties as ETL for PSC, and further investigation is justified to establish the optimal fabrication parameters and resulting energy conversion efficiency.
PubDate: 2022-12-22
- Biomethane production kinetics during the anaerobic co-digestion of
Sargassum spp. and food waste using batch and fed-batch systems in Punta
Cana, Dominican Republic
Abstract: Abstract Collecting Sargassum spp. biomass and using it for the generation of renewable energy is a sustainable approach to mitigate the costs associated to this weed management. The biomethanation of this algal biomass with other organic waste to produce biogas promotes the integrated sustainable management of these materials while generating gaseous fuel for the tourism industry. The purpose of this work is to determine the percentage Sargassum spp. biomass during the anaerobic co-digestion of this brown algae with food waste that results in the best biogas composition, methane yield, production kinetics, and digestate. The biomethanation was conducted in 1200 L fed-batch and bench scale batch biodigestors and the kinetic parameters were estimated using the modified Gompertz model. The methane yield of Sargassum spp. and food waste combinations in 0.58 OLR at fed batch and 15 g/L organic load at batch were comparable. The methane yield produced in the 100% Sargassum spp. fed-batch anaerobic biodigester was 101.3 ± 23.6 N. L CH4/kg, but up to 615.5 ± 78.4 N. L CH4/kg in the 45% Sargassum spp. / 55% food waste biodigestor. The anaerobic co-digestion of Sargassum spp. and food waste in the batch system showed methane production rates as high as 14.6 ± 0.3 N.L CH4/kg.day. Higher H2S were detected in the biogas of the biodigesters fed with larger percentages of the Sargassum spp. with more than 5000 ppm during mono-digestion. Our results suggest that 55% Sargassum spp. and 45% food waste are the most promising feed combination under the studied conditions for the anaerobic co-digestion of these feedstock at larger scale.
PubDate: 2022-12-15
- Facile fabrication, structural and electrical investigations of cadmium
sulfide nanoparticles for fuel cell performance
Abstract: Abstract In the present work, CdS nanoparticles were synthesized and analyzed for use in fuel cell applications. The X-ray diffraction investigation showed that CdS possesses a cubic polycrystalline structure. For the (111) plane, the average values of mean crystallite size, microstrain, and dislocation density were calculated and found to be 1.935 nm, 0.0758, and 0.267 nm−2. The average crystallite size was additionally calculated and found to be 2.02 nm using the modified Scherrer’s plot. The observed blue shift in the photoluminescence of CdS is caused by the quantum size impact of the nanocrystalline structure. A broad emission band at 590 nm is produced by the recombination of a hole in the valence band of CdS with an electron confined in a sulfur vacancy. The average Cd/S ratio is good and comparable, according to the EDS analysis, which is close to the theoretical values and almost exactly fits the ideal structure. A thermogravimetry diagram was used to establish the thermal stability of CdS across a wide range of temperatures. Fuel cell application features peaks were investigated by the cyclic voltammetry of CdS under various conditions. The linear sweep voltammetry was used to analyze the electrochemical performance of CdS electrodes in fuel cells. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was also used and the results confirmed that nickel substrate is regarded as being superior to stainless steel in terms of performance.
PubDate: 2022-12-12
- Modification of waste sugarcane bagasse fly ash for CO2 capture
application
Abstract: CO2 capture is a promising approach to aid in the mitigation of the global environmental crisis caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The efficiency of adsorbents is critical to the success of this approach. Sugarcane bagasse fly ash (SBA) was used in this study as a support to increase the CO2 adsorption capacity of CaO. The physical and chemical characteristics of SBA treated with various reagents (HCl, H3PO4, CH3COOH, NaOH, NH3, and H2O2) were investigated. The CaO was then loaded at 10–50 wt% on the support surface, and the modified adsorbent was tested for its potential to adsorb CO2. According to the results of the experiments, the acidic reagent increased the surface area of SBA, whereas the base reagents provided SBA with a higher pore volume and a larger pore size. The different surface characteristics of the modified SBA had a direct impact on its CO2 adsorption capacity. The adsorbent with NaOH-pretreated SBA and 50% CaO loading had the highest CO2 adsorption capacity, which was 27% higher than that of unsupported CaO due to the decent distribution of CaO found on the NaOH-treated SBA surface. For a better understanding, a graphical model was finally proposed to describe the aforementioned changes in surface characteristics and adhesion of CaO on the SBA support. These findings show that SBA, a valueless bagasse-incinerating waste material, can be used as a support to increase the CO2 adsorption capacity of adsorbents, transforming it into a more valuable and environmentally sustainable material. Graphical abstract
PubDate: 2022-12-05
- A comparison between growth of direct and pulse current electrodeposited
crystalline SnO2 films; electrochemical properties for application in
lithium-ion batteries
Abstract: Abstract Tin oxide (SnO2) films were electrodeposited on graphite substrates using direct and pulse current electrodeposition techniques. The influence of applied current density on the morphological properties, crystal structure, and electrochemical behavior of the resulting films were studied by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, Mott–Schottky analysis, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The results showed that pulse electrodeposited films have porous flower-like morphology with smaller crystallite size and high donor density in comparison with direct current electrodeposited films that include equiaxed particles in their morphologies, such characteristics give them better electrochemical performance (higher degree of reversibility, higher specific capacitance, and faster lithium-ion diffusion) than those films that were synthesized by conventional direct current electrodeposition method. Furthermore, using higher applied current densities leads to the improvement of SnO2 films’ electrochemical performance due to the formation of the films with finer morphology that include more porosity and oxygen vacancies in their respective crystal structure.
PubDate: 2022-12-02
- Development of bioanode for versatile applications: microfuel cell system
in the presence of alcohol and glucose
Abstract: Abstract The purpose of this work is to develop a bioanode using the enzymes of glucose oxidase (GOx) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) as catalysts to oxidised glucose and alcohol present in different beverages. The study was carried out using the covalent bonding method for both enzymes via the functionalization of carbon nanofibers for the formation of carboxyl groups that can form bonds with the amine groups of the enzyme, as well as using tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) with Nafion. The optimum operation parameters of both enzymes (pH and temperature) were determined for the later evaluation in a microfluidic fuel cell. In addition, using the scanning electrochemical microscopy technique, a local study of enzymatic processes is used to demonstrate that the enzymes immobilized on the same electrode remain active. The evaluation of the microfluidic fuel cell was carried out using different solutions, 0.01 M glucose, 0.01 M ethanol and a mixture of 0.01 M glucose and 0.01 M ethanol, all in phosphate buffer solutions at pH 7, where it was possible to obtain a maximum performance of 5.07 ± 0.1 mW cm−2, and there was a significant increase in current density compared to non-composite solutions (glucose or ethanol). In addition, different alcoholic beverages were used to evaluate the versatility and adaptability of the bi-enzymatic anode electrode with the perspective use in Lab-on-a-Chip systems.
PubDate: 2022-12-01
- Photoelectrochemical energy conversion using hybrid photoelectrodes
Abstract: Abstract We demonstrated the basil sensitized hybrid photoelectrodes for photocurrents and fuel generation. Hybrid photoelectrochemical cells (PECs) were proposed for direct solar energy conversion. The biohybrid device allows tunable control of energy conversion through the chemically stable photoelectrode. Biohybrid PEC was prepared by integrating organic and inorganic layers on fluorine doped tin oxide substrate. This integrated assembly produces electricity upon the illumination of visible light and drives overall water splitting reaction to generate solar fuel. The basil layer enhances the overall absorption with wide spectrum range and hence, a strong increment in generation of photocurrent is observed in the biohybrid PEC device. This hybrid PEC device can also be used to generate solar fuels and solar power.
PubDate: 2022-12-01
- Correction to: Modification of a first‑generation solid oxide fuel cell
cathode with Co3O4 nanocubes having selectively exposed crystal planes
PubDate: 2022-11-29
- Biodegradable methylcellulose biopolymer-derived activated porous carbon
for dual energy application
Abstract: Abstract Activated porous carbon was synthesized from methylcellulose biopolymer through a two-step mechanism involving H3PO4 as an activating agent and then thermally carbonized in a tubular furnace under an inert atmosphere at 850 °C. The product was next rinsed with strong HCl, neutralized with deionized water, and dried in an oven at 80 °C. Then, to fully understand the behavior of the activated porous carbon, it was characterized using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), RAMAN spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Additionally, we have created dye-sensitive solar cells and an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) using this porous carbon produced from methylcellulose (DSSC). We used the above-mentioned prepared porous carbon for the electrode portion of the Electric Double-Layer Capacitor (EDLC) fabrication, and the maximized polymer electrolyte film made from the methyl cellulose (MC) biopolymer combined with 60 wt.% of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tricyanomethanide ionic liquid (IL), with a maximum conductivity of 1.93 × 10−2 S/cm, for the electrolyte. The fabricated EDLC device shows a specific capacitance of 60.8 F/gm at 5 mV/s scan rate which was confirmed by cyclovoltammetry and a low-frequency impedance plot in the CH electrochemical workstation. The DSSC device was fabricated using the same porous carbon as a material for the counter-electrode and the same composition polymer electrolyte that had been used in the EDLC as the electrolyte for the DSSC which yields an efficiency of 0.86%. The fill factor and other parameters were also calculated from the JV characteristics that had been characterized and obtained in the solar simulator.
PubDate: 2022-11-21
- Design of an isolated renewable hybrid energy system: a case study
Abstract: Abstract In addition to the fact that most renewable energies such as solar and wind energy have become more competitive in the global energy market, thanks to the great development in conversion technologies, it believes that renewable energy can play a crucial role in global environmental issues. However, in Palestine, the situation is different from anywhere else; renewable energy is not only an economic option, but an absolute necessity to get out of the energy crisis that Palestinian cities suffer from long years ago and continue nowadays. The cornerstone of the present research is focusing on the availability of renewable energy resources in Jenin Governorate (JG)—West Bank (WB)—Palestine. Two-year time-series of hourly solar, wind, biomass, and 1-year hourly electrical load data are used in the analysis in this paper. The energy potentials were estimated using System Advisor Model software (SAM), and the optimum combination and sizing of the hybrid renewable energy system were determined using Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER). The proposed Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) consists of an 80 MW PV solar field, 66 MW wind farm, and 50 MW biomass system with an initial investment of $323 M. The proposed HRES generates 389 GWh/yr and is enough to meet 100% of the electrical demand of JG (372 GWh/yr) with excess in electricity generation of about 4.57% and the unmeet electric load is about 109.6 MWh/yr which is equivalent to less than 2 h off in a year. The estimated Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) was found as 0.313 $/kWh.
PubDate: 2022-11-13
- Analysis of power conversion limitation factors of Cu (InxGa1−x) (Se)2
thin-film solar cells using SCAPS
Abstract: Abstract While the first generation of silicon solar cells offers a clean and unlimited energy source, the technology has matured where costs dominate, and the theoretical power conversion efficiency is reaching its limits. The new generation of thin-film solar cells is emerging as an affordable alternative to their bulky counterparts. The technology offers a much cheaper method to quickly fabricate solar cells that use less material with good optical and electronic properties on a wide range of substrates, including flexible materials. In particular, Cu (InxGa1−x) (Se)2 thin-film solar cells are investigated using SCAPS simulation to study the impact of series resistance and doping levels of different layers of the cell structure on the short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, power conversion efficiency, and fill factor. It was found that an increase in the series resistance of the solar cell layers results in a decrease in the power conversion efficiency with a dependency on light intensities. In addition, the doping level in the absorber and buffer layers plays a significant role in controlling the solar cell’s power conversion efficiency and fill factor values with maximum values when acceptor doping levels are approximately equal to donor doping levels.
PubDate: 2022-11-11
- Modulation to favorable surface adsorption energy for oxygen evolution
reaction intermediates over carbon-tunable alloys towards sustainable
hydrogen production
Abstract: Abstract Because of the value of hydrogen as the future energy in no distant time, demand for efficient and scalable hydrogen production via electrochemical water splitting process has recently attracted considerable attention from industrial and scientific communities. Yet, several challenges associated with production remain to be addressed. One of the overriding challenges is the sluggish kinetics of oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which can have significant impact on the H2 production due to overpotential. To overcome this limitation, developing low-cost, robust and stable electrocatalysts very close to the same electrode activity as seen for iridium metal is crucial to solving the efficiency issue in the process. Therefore, timely review of progress in the field is vital to identify the electrocatalytic systems with the highest potential and, more importantly, to understand the factors which have positive contribution towards the electrocatalysts performance. We reviewed the progress made in the direction of designing binary and ternary alloys of transition metal-based electrocatalysts tuned with carbon materials. The review focuses more on the modulation of structural design and electronic conductivity that have been carried out by manipulating chemical compositions to moderate the surface adsorption free energies of the reaction intermediates, targeted to reduce overpotential. The strategic routes are discussed thoroughly with respect to the OER mechanisms and their derived-descriptors. However, numerous opportunities still remain open for exploration, particularly on the key challenge to obtain a route to unify electronic structure-activity and activity-multi-descriptor relationships for rational design of efficient electrocatalysts.
PubDate: 2022-11-11
- Valorization of the inedible pistachio shells into nanoscale transition
metal and nitrogen codoped carbon-based electrocatalysts for hydrogen
evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction
Abstract: Abstract Making a consistency with the objectives of circular economy, herein, waste pistachios shells were utilized for the development of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts which are the key bottleneck in the technological evolution of electrolyzers and fuel cells, respectively. As an alternative to scarce and expensive platinum-group-metal (PGM) electrocatalysts, metal nitrogen carbons (MNCs) are emerging as a promising candidate for both aforementioned electrocatalysis where iron and nickel are the metal of choice for ORR and HER, respectively. Therefore, FeNCs and NiNCs were fabricated utilizing inedible pistachio shells as a low-cost biosource of carbon. The steps involved in the fabrication of electrocatalyst were correlated with electrochemical performance in alkaline media. Encouraging onset potential of ~ 0.88 V vs RHE with a possibility of a 2 + 2 reaction pathway was observed in pyrolyzed and ball-milled FeNC. However, HF etching for template removal slightly affected the kinetics and eventually resulted in a relatively higher yield of peroxide. In parallel, the pyrolyzed NiNC demonstrated a lower HER overpotential of ~ 0.4 V vs RHE at − 10 mA cm−2. Nevertheless, acid washing adversely affected the HER performance and consequently, very high overpotential was witnessed.
PubDate: 2022-07-13
- Copper nanoparticles suitable for bifunctional cholesterol oxidation
reaction: harvesting energy and sensor
Abstract: Abstract This study reports the performance of simple low-cost synthesized bifunctional Cu/Cu2O nanoparticles (NPs) used as a catalyst for energy-harvesting applications through of a microfluidic fuel cell (µFC), and further, as cholesterol (Chol) sensor. TEM characterization of the NPs showed spheres between 4 and 10 nm, while XRD and XPS analysis confirmed the composition and preferential crystallographic plane of Cu/Cu2O. In addition, 25.26 m2 g−1 surface area was obtained, which is greater than those commercial materials. NPs showed high activity toward the cholesterol oxidation reaction when were used as a sensor, obtaining a linear interval between 0.5 and 1 mM and 850 µA mM−1 mg−1 of sensitivity and 8.9 µM limit of quantification LOQ. These values are comparable to results previously reported. Moreover, Cu/Cu2O NPs were used as anode in a µFC with 0.96 V of cell voltage and 6.5 mA cm−2 and 1.03 mW cm−2 of current and power density, respectively. This performance is the highest currently reported for cholesterol application as an alternative fuel, and the first one reported for a microfluidic fuel cell system as far as is known. Results showed that the obtained Cu-based NPs presented an excellent performance for the dual application both µFC and sensor, which has potential applications in biomedicine and as an alternative energy source.
PubDate: 2022-06-21
