Alternative Energy Production Research Articles

TUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE ACCUMULATED DOSE OF DAMAGE IN THE NEAR-SURFACE LAYER ON RESISTANCE TO EXTERNAL INFLUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH CORROSION PROCESSES DURING HIGH-TEMPERATURE ANNEALING

Abstract. Investigating the challenges associated with the structural and strength degradation of ceramic fuel cells, which hold significant potential for hydrogen production through electrolysis methods, is a current focus ofresearch. Understanding the degradation processes and their occurrence rate is crucial in the assessment of the efficacy of these ceramics for applications in alternative energy production, specifically in the realm of hydrogen energy. The aim of this study is to ascertain the impact of doping ceramics with aluminum nitride NiAl2O4, irradiated with protons with a dose of approximately 50 dpa, on resistance to high-temperature degradation, and associated corrosive processes of oxidation and swelling, as well as migration processes of implanted hydrogen. Three types of ceramics were selected as objects for study: NiAl2O4ceramics, NiAl2O4ceramics stabilized with 0.05 M AlN, NiAl2O4ceramics stabilized with 0.15 M AlN, that are distinguished by the formation of impurity phases in Al7O3N8, with an orthorhombic type of crystal lattice. As a result of high-temperature tests, it was observed that NiAl2O4ceramics, when stabilized, exhibit reduced susceptibility to destructive alterations in strength characteristics, primarily attributed to the deformation distortion of the crystal structure caused by its swelling. These processes are associated with an augmentation in the thermal expansion of the crystal structure, manifested in the deformation swelling of the crystal lattice volume.

A Control-Oriented Model for Predicting Variations in Membrane Water Content of an Open-Cathode Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells have emerged as a viable alternative energy production source for stationary and transportation applications. Reliable and sustainable fuel cell operation requires effective water management. Membrane water content can vary along the stack during transients which can lead to losses in fuel cell performance. To control these variations, a model that predicts the internal humidity dynamics of the stack is needed. In this study, a control-oriented model for predicting membrane water content variation was developed and implemented in MATLAB/Simulink. A lumped parameter model was initially developed and then further discretized into smaller control volumes to track humidity distribution along the stack. To validate the model’s predictions, the predicted results were compared to computer simulation results from GT-Suite. The root mean square error (RMSE) between the model’s prediction and GT-Suite’s simulation results was found to be within 1.5 membrane water content for all cases, demonstrating the model’s capability to capture the variation in membrane water content along the stack. The developed model will be useful for real-time control of membrane water content distribution in PEM fuel cells.

Coconut Fiber Pyrolysis: Bio-Oil Characterization for Potential Application as an Alternative Energy Source and Production of Bio-Degradable Plastics

Coconut Fiber Pyrolysis: Bio-Oil Characterization for Potential Application as an Alternative Energy Source and Production of Bio-Degradable Plastics

Numerical investigation of specific performance parameters of the S-ROTOR; a Savonius type turbine design

After the energy crisis in the 1970s, studies on alternative electrical energy production processes gained more importance especially considering the possibility of a new energy crisis that may come up nowadays. Despite their low power generation, s-rotor designs used in vertical axis wind turbines are open to development due to their features, such as producing high torque and having many configurations. In this study, the optimum s-rotor design is created using the aspect ratio, overlap ratio, quarter blade gap ratio, and fin as parameters. The effective levels of each parameter were found by performing Computational Fluid Dynamic analysis. Then, using the Responds Surface Optimization method, optimum parameter levels were determined, and the optimum s-rotor design was created. The findings showed that the newly designed s-rotor provided a remarkable performance increase in high tip-speed ratios. In addition, the maximum power coefficient of the s-rotor increased from about 0.06 to 0.10, and it was determined that the aspect ratio was more effective on the power coefficient than the other parameters.

Government venture capital and innovation performance in alternative energy production: The moderating role of environmental regulation and capital market activity

Energy shortages and environmental concerns have prompted governments to focus on alternative energy production innovation. Although studies examine the association between government venture capital and green innovation, there remains a gap in understanding how the different characteristics of government venture capital affect innovation. This study examines the effects of government venture capital on the innovation performance of alternative energy production. Using negative binominal regression and system generalised method of moments models with data from 30 provinces in China for the period spanning from 2003 to 2019, we find that government venture capital exerts an inverted U-shaped effect on the innovation performance of alternative energy production. In addition, environmental regulation strengthens this inverted U-shaped effect, while capital market activity alleviates it. Moreover, we confirm that government venture capital affects alternative energy production innovation through the R&D investment channel. Our study enriches the resource-based view, agency theory and the institution-based view by shedding light on how the different characteristics of government venture capital affect alternative energy production innovation. The findings suggest that policymakers should strike a balance between government intervention and market mechanisms.

Digital economy, green technology innovation, and productivity improvement of energy enterprises.

This study aims to address the important question of whether the digital economy can be deeply integrated with the energy sector to break through the resource and environmental constraints and thus enhance the productivity of energy companies. Using a sample of Chinese energy-listed companies, we comprehensively investigate the impact of the digital economy on the productivity of energy firms using the OLS method, mediated effects model, instrumental variables method, and difference-in-differences model. Research shows that the development of digital economy can significantly improve the productivity of energy enterprises. This effect is more obvious in eastern cities, non-resource-based cities, state-owned enterprises, and enterprises with high cash holdings. Green technological innovation in alternative energy production, transportation, and administrative supervision and design is an important channel for improving productivity in the digital economy. Internet development and digital inclusive finance can also improve the productivity of energy enterprises. "National Big Data Pilot Zone" and "Broadband China" pilot cities can play a policy role in improving the productivity of energy enterprises. The findings provide important insights for promoting the integration of the digital revolution with the energy technology revolution and accelerating the green development and digital transformation of the energy sector.

Development and thermophysical analysis of binary eutectics phase change materials for solar drying application

Background: In the past 30–40 years, conflicts over limited conventional energy sources and the negative climate change caused by them have attracted researchers and analysts to new, clean, and green energy technologies. Thereby reducing the consumption of conventional fuel and the negative impact on the climate. The production of alternative energy in the form of thermal energy storage using phase change materials (PCMs) is one of the techniques that not only reduces the gap between the supply and demand of energy but also increases the stability of the energy supply. The tendency of PCMs to melt and solidify over a wide temperature range makes them more attractive for use in many applications. The effective and efficient storage of solar energy by PCM has the potential to significantly advance the use of renewable energy. Methods: Organic non-paraffin compound beeswax (BW) mixed with other non-paraffin compounds stearic acid (SA), Palmitic acid (PA), Myristic acid (MA), and Lauric acid (LA) in different compositions with the help of magnetic stirrer at 50–60°C for 3–4 hours to prepare BWSA, BWPA, BWMA, and BWLA eutectic PCM. Results: Prepared eutectics melt and solidify in the temperature range 36–56°C and with latent heat in the range of 155–211 kJ/Kg. Conclusions: Due to suitable temperature and good latent heat storage range, it is a good choice as thermal energy storage, for solar drying applications.

Immobilization of a new copper (II) complex dye with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and functional simulation in dye-sensitized solar cell

ABSTRACT Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are third-generation photovoltaics as an alternative and eco-friendly energy production method. Sensitizer dyes are the main component of DSSC which can increase their efficiency and optical response level. So, the optimal selection of sensitizers is critical for the better performance of solar cells. Recently, the use of more easily accessible metals such as copper in DSSCs has been investigated, especially for indoor uses under ambient light sources. Nevertheless, more work needs to prepare stable and highly efficient DSSCs. In the present study, a new ligand has been synthesized by 2,2′- bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (H2bpdc@ MWCNTs) and then complexed with a novel dye from alizarin and para-nitroaniline through Cu (II). The structural and optical properties of the product were evaluated for employment in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The novel dye was fully characterized using 1H NMR, UV-Vis, and also Raman spectroscopy. The proposed DSSCs based on Cu- H2bpdc-Dye@ multiwalled carbon nanotubes were designed and modeled using COMSOL Multiphysics software. For this purpose, the complex refractive index of Cu H2bpdc-Dye@ MWCNT solar cell was determined using spectroscopic ellipsometry. It represents a unique and high refractive index, reaching 2.13 at 475 nm. The current–voltage curve and electrical parameters of the ITO/Cu- H2bpdc-Dye@MWCNTs/TiO2/ITO structure were calculated using COMSOL software. This DSSC based on Cu-H2bpdc-Dye @MWCNTs thin layer achieved 10.51% of η(JSC = 16.8 mA cm−2, VOC = 0.85 V, and FF = 73.6%) under simulated solar irradiation. It can be considered a potential candidate for employment in a new generation of dye-sensitized solar cells instead of the rare heavy metal-based dyes in DSSCs.

Transformation Processes for Energy Production Alternatives from Different Biomass Sources in the Highlands and Semi-Desert Areas of Mexico

Biomass revalorization is a worldwide trend which can contribute to diversifying the energy sector and to obtaining added value products. The objective of the present review is to discern potential sources of biomass and their corresponding alternatives for transformation, with a particular emphasis on energy generation within the Mexican highlands and semi-desert regions. Methodologically, this review was conducted by reviewing various search engines, identifying articles related to energy production, the transformation processes, and the obtained product, establishing the relevance of each contribution, and including the information that was deemed pertinent. From this information analysis, it was found that most of the studies are conducted at theoretical and laboratory levels; then, scientific knowledge has been generated in this topic. However, low interaction with the social and industrial sectors is observed. It is required to develop strategies to transfer the generated knowledge and to scale up the studied transformation processes to generate ecological, economic, and social benefits. According to the information obtained it can be concluded that the agricultural and forestry sectors in the highlands and semi-desert regions of Mexico hold significant promise for generating bioenergy via the utilization of residual biomass, including stubble, straw, branches, stems, and sawdust. Moreover, the implementation of these sophisticated techniques for the conversion of residual biomass into biofuels and other forms of bioenergy contribute to the improvement of the adverse effects associated with the use of fossil fuels while fostering a more environmentally sustainable economy.

Optimizing the Copper Content in GdBa0.5Sr0.5Co2-XCuxO5+δ Double Perovskites as the High Performance Oxygen Electrodes for Reversible Solid Oxide Cells

Sustainable development and better protection of environment are among the top priority issues for human society. Seeking for cleaner and less greenhouse-emissive energy resources or solutions has been a dominating trend around the world, since daily functioning of the current society is still dependent on fossil energy sources, such as oil, coal, and also natural gas. Tremendous efforts have been made to develop alternative energy production technologies, among them, fuel cells have been found as very promising ones. Especially, reversible Solid Oxide Cells (rSOCs) have become famous for their all-solid structure, which consist of the porous fuel electrode, dense solid oxide electrolyte, porous oxygen electrode, and interconnects. Reversible SOCs can effectively work either in the fuel cell (e.g. H2 + 0.5O2 → H2O and heat) or electrolyzer modes, making them useful for grid balancing and utilization of surplus electrical energy. It is worth noting that the oxygen electrode has a decisive role regarding performance and long-term operation of the whole cell. Until now most of the widely-studied and also practically-implemented oxygen electrode materials are cobalt-based perovskite-type oxides or related compounds having the relatively high concentration of Co. This can be regarded as one of drawbacks, due to the toxicity, carcinogenicity, high costs, and poorly available resources of cobalt, despite impressive electrocatalytic activity and excellent electrochemical properties of such materials. Accordingly, numerous attempts have been carried out, which aim at replacing Co with other transition metal elements, such as Ni, Fe, Mn, and Cu, at least to some extent. For example, copper-doping into Co-based perovskites enabled to limit the excessive thermal expansion, as well as positively influenced redox stability.The A-site ordered double perovskites, REBaCo2O5+δ (RE: rare earth elements and Y), feature the layered structure with alternating configuration of REOδ and BaO layers along the c-axis, which generates fast diffusion channels for migration of oxygen anions, as well as the materials exhibit excellent electrical conductivity. In this work, an attempt has been made to further optimize the compounds, with the target compositions proposed as GdBa0.5Sr0.5Co2-xCuxO5+δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 2). Intermediate-size Gd3+ facilitates layered structure formation, while introducing Sr at Ba sites is beneficial to electrical conductivity, due to alleviated lattice distortion. Comprehensive studies have been directed to optimize the copper content in the selected oxides. After synthesis by a self-combustion sol-gel method, the samples were systematically characterized, including identification of the phase composition and crystal structure, thermal stability and chemical reactivity with solid electrolytes, thermal expansion behavior, oxygen content, total electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties. The adopted characterization methods include the X-ray diffraction at room and high temperatures with Rietveld refinements, iodometric titration and thermogravimetric tests, dilatometric measurements, total electrical conductivity studies. Also, laboratory-scale symmetrical and full cells have been manufactured and characterized concerning morphology of the electrodes, electrode-electrolyte interface, electrode polarization resistance with distribution of relaxation times method, as well as power output. High copper content (x > 1.15) was found as hindering factor for synthesis of pure samples. Bearing in mind a need to reduce cobalt content, GdBa0.5Sr0.5Co2-xCuxO5+δ compositions with x = 1, 1.05, 1.1, and 1.15 were selected for further evaluation. The oxides could be synthesized as practically phase-pure, revealing the desired P/4mmm tetragonal symmetry. All of them maintain stable lattice structure up to 1000 °C in air. They are chemically compatible with La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δ and Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-δ electrolytes up to at least 900 °C. A moderate thermal expansion coefficients were measured, which decrease with the increasing Cu-doping content, from 15.8·10-6 K-1 (x = 1) to 14.5·10-6 K-1 (x = 1.15) in the temperature range of 300-900 °C. The equilibrated oxygen content in the considered samples ranges from 5.69 (x = 1) to 5.49 (x = 1.15). All oxides exhibit a sufficiently high total conductivity, above 10 S cm-1 in the working temperature range of 600-900 °C. The recorded electrochemical impedance spectra indicate that the lowest polarization resistance (0.017 Ω cm2 at 850 °C) can be obtained for the electrode with GdBa0.5Sr0.5Co0.9Cu1.1O5+δ composition (on La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δ electrolyte), which is lower than for the higher cobalt-content GdBa0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ, 0.025 Ω cm2 at the same temperature. The developed GdBa0.5Sr0.5Co0.9Cu1.1O5+δ material used as the oxygen electrode in the La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δ electrolyte-supported full cell enabled to achieve power density output exceeding 1.2 W cm-2 at 850 °C, and 0.57 A cm-2 current density at 1.5 V in electrolysis mode at 700 °C. All the evidence prove that Cu-doping is an effective approach, since it allows for limiting the Co content and obtaining the desirable performance at the same time.

Methodology for strengthening energy resilience with SMART solution approach of rural areas: Local production of alternative biomass fuel within renewable energy community

The article presents a proposal for a comprehensive methodology for the design of the process of local production of alternative energy fuel. The goal of the methodology is to ensure a local source of renewable fuel (biomass) for the needs of covering the supply of thermal energy to citizens in rural areas. In the first part, the methodology deals with the issue of sustainable cultivation of energy crops, namely short rotation coppice and its appropriate placement on soil blocks which are threatened by erosion or degraded by intensive agriculture. Subsequently, the local energy community independently produces alternative pellet biofuel, from the initial cultivation of young woody plants to the final production of ecological wood-based fuel with a calorific value of 16 MJ/ kg. The proposed innovative method of heat production leads to environmental benefits, energy savings, reduced payments for energy supply, and overall modernization of the technologies used.

Green fiscal policy and enterprise green innovation: evidence from quasi-natural experiment of China.

We aim to study the impact of green fiscal policy on enterprise green innovation by applying a time-varying difference-in-difference (DID) model, and treat the comprehensive demonstration city of fiscal policy for energy conservation and emission reduction (CPEE) in China as a quasi-natural experiment. The results show that the CPEE can significantly improve enterprise's green innovation performance of pilot area. This net policy effect is valid after a series of robustness tests to control for various potential confounding factors. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the effect of CPEE is stronger for state-owned enterprises and enterprises in high energy consumption industries or industries with higher industrial concentration. In addition, the effect of CPEE is various among different categories of green patents, which is stronger for the types of alternative energy production category, waste management category, administrative supervision and design category. The mechanism test indicates that the CPEE can improve the green innovation performance by increasing enterprise' investment in research and development, promoting territorial industrial transformation and upgrading, and enhancing enterprise executives' environmental awareness. To achieve the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the green enabling role of fiscal reform pilot policy in transition economies and the applicability of localized policies should be excavated.

Fermentation-mediated growth, signaling, and defense in plants.

While traditionally considered important mainly in hypoxic roots during flooding, upregulation of fermentation pathways in plants has recently been described as an evolutionarily conserved drought survival strategy, with acetate signaling mediating reprograming of transcription and cellular carbon and energy metabolism from roots to leaves. The amount of acetate produced directly correlates with survival through potential mechanisms including defense gene activation, biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites, and aerobic respiration. Here, we review root ethanolic fermentation responses to hypoxia during saturated soil conditions and summarize studies highlighting acetate fermentation under aerobic conditions coupled with respiration during growth and drought responses. Recent work is discussed demonstrating long-distance transport of acetate via the transpiration stream as a respiratory substrate. While maintenance and growth respiration are often modeled separately in terrestrial models, here we propose the concept of 'Defense Respiration' fueled by acetate fermentation in which upregulation of acetate fermentation contributes acetate substrate for alternative energy production via aerobic respiration, biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites, and the acetylation of proteins involved in defense gene regulation. Finally, we highlight new frontiers in leaf-atmosphere emission measurements as a potential way to study acetate fermentation responses of individual leaves, branches, ecosystems, and regions.

Bismuth-based nanomaterials-assisted photocatalytic water splitting for sustainable hydrogen production

The rapidly increase in the world's population has resulted in a corresponding increase in the energy demand. This demand is largely being met by fossil fuels for power generation, industrial fuel and transportation. However, due to the limited availability of fossil fuels and their negative effects on the environment. The use of fossil fuels results in by-products such as carbon, nitrogen and sulfur oxides which have negative impacts on the environment. Therefore. There is an urgent need to develop alternative greener energy sources that are sustainable and have minimal environmental impacts. Hydrogen is one such alternative energy source of attention. Harvesting sunlight through the use of solar panels is already being employed at domestic and commercial levels. Photocatalytic water splitting, which aims to produce hydrogen by utilizing unlimited sources including water and sunlight, is another potential process for alternative energy production. The conversion of water into hydrogen and oxygen through sunlight is an innovative process that directly converts sunlight into chemical energy in the form of hydrogen and oxygen via photocatalytic water splitting. Numerous photocatalytic materials are available for photocatalytic hydrogen production, but bismuth-based materials are the most suitable as they are non-toxic, economical, opto-electronically active, have suitable band positions for photocatalysis, and exhibit excellent photo-stability.To provide summary of latest research in the field of photocatalytic water splitting, a comprehensive review is favorable to suggest future research directions aimed at discovering solutions to current challenges. This review emphasizes the need for alternative energy sources and the competitiveness of photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen production. The mechanism and thermodynamics of the photocatalytic water splitting have been discussed, along with the properties of an ideal photocatalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen production with a special focus on the bismuth-based photocatalysts. The optimization of synthetic and photocatalytic processes is crucial for commercial use with much improved hydrogen production in terms of cost and quantity without harming environment at any stage. Furthermore, current challenges and future perspectives have been presented for upcoming research in this domain.

A techno economic and environmental assessment of a hybrid waste tires‐renewable system for sustainable energy supply

AbstractThe rapid rise in industrial and human energy consumption has caused a significant increase in global energy demand. In order to meet simultaneously the increasing energy demand and protect the environment, researchers have put more effort into the development of new more sustainable energy sources.One of the promising alternatives for energy production in Pneumatic industrial sector is the integration of a hybrid power system, and making value to their produced waste and collected (tire waste) to use as an alternative energy sources. Considering the above‐mentioned facts, this study shows a techno‐economic and environmental assessment of a novel hybrid waste‐solar system configuration composed of an external depolymerization plant fueled by tires waste producing fuel for a co‐generator and a photovoltaic solar power plant ensuring the complement of the electrical need of our industrial.The novelty of this work is the development of the research methodology and innovative Solar/Waste hybrid power system from the existing system. The simulation is carried out in the HOMER software, the integrated system results in a Cost of Energy evaluated as 0.062 $/kWh, and 25.89% of avoided Greenhouse gasses emissions with an annual carbon credit of 32,422 $.

Possibilities and Limitations of Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Animal Manure—A Critical Review

Anaerobic digestion is a well-known and long-used biological method for stabilizing organic materials. Among the benefits of this process in waste management are the reduction of greenhouse gases, the production of alternative energy, and the acquisition of valuable digestate that can be used in the form of biogas, thereby closing the cycle of elements in nature. For some materials, such as manure, which is heterogeneous in terms of morphology and chemical composition, digestion of a single substrate may not be very efficient. Therefore, more and more studies on the co-digestion process are appearing in the literature. This solution allows higher biogas production and the possibility of processing several wastes simultaneously. The prospect of the future effective application of anaerobic co-digestion depends on regulations, work regime, and access to raw materials. Therefore, there is a need to systematize the available knowledge and results, as well as to identify the possibilities and limitations of the discussed process, which is undertaken in this paper.

Impacts of alternative energy production innovation on reducing CO2 emissions: Evidence from China

Impacts of alternative energy production innovation on reducing CO2 emissions: Evidence from China

ECOLOGICAL MARKETING IN THE PARADIGM OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ASPECT

Theoretical and methodological approaches to the development of the field of marketing in the information society based on the principles of sustainable development are considered, which is due to the task of creating and maintaining, with the help of marketing, competitive advantages compatible with the tasks of the concept of sustainable development, adapting the marketing orientation of organizations to the needs of sustainable development in order to harmonize interaction «nature-society». It is shown that in the field of marketing, the focus on the concept of sustainable development actualized the formation of the ideology of sustainable marketing and sustainable consumption, a sustainable marketing organization and contributed to the formation of ecological marketing, which focuses on the demonstration of positive social and environmental behavior by companies to ethical consumers, responsibility for environmental safety, life and health consumers. In accordance with Ukraine’s course of integration into the European Union, the economic policy of the state is faced with the task of building the economy based on the principles of sustainable development. The issue of the need to combine the efforts of the state and civil society to implement the concept of sustainable development has been updated. It is indicated that in order to overcome the dominance of resource- and energy-intensive industries and technologies, the raw material orientation of exports that dominates in Ukraine, state policy should consider the achievements of the Fourth Technological Revolution and support science-oriented industries. The role of the achievements of the Fourth Technological Revolution, to solve the problems of sustainable development thanks to technologies of alternative energy production, «smart» technologies for the house, and cloud technologies, which become the basis for calculating the economical distribution of resources and optimal satisfaction of consumer needs, is considered. It is shown that with the efforts of civil society, with a formed environmental consciousness, it is possible to overcome the ideology of consumer society, which led to the global environmental crisis and prevent business from neglecting the requirements for environmental protection, saving capital investments in the ecological sphere.

Biogenic platinum based nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization and their applications for cell cytotoxic, antibacterial effect, and direct alcohol fuel cells

In this study, biogenic platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) were obtained using the green synthesis method. The obtained Pt NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and the plant extract was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). With this characterized Pt NPs, cytotoxicity tests on MIAPaCa 2, Hela, HEK 293, Thle 2 cell lines and antibacterial activities on S. Aureus, S. Mutans, E. Coli, E. Faecalis bacterial cell lines were investigated. As a result, it was observed that biogenic Pt NPs showed a cytotoxic effect on cell lines and an antibacterial effect against a series of bacteria. At the same time, in order to show the usability of Pt NPs synthesized by the green synthesis in different areas, studies for alternative clean energy production were also carried out, and in the methanol oxidation reaction study, 5.42 mA.cm−2 anodic peak current was obtained at 0.6 V potential. This showed that nanoparticles obtained by the green synthesis method can be used in alcohol oxidation studies for alternative clean energy generation.

Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution on metallic and bimetallic Pd–Co alloy nanoparticles

Increasing world energy demands and crises led to alternative energy production methods, such as fuel cells using hydrogen gas which is the half electrochemical reaction of water splitting process. Herein, we synthesize polyvinylpyrrolidone coated Pd, Co and PdxCo1-x (x: 0.5, 0.12, 0.23, 0.49, 0.55, 0.62) metallic and bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) via polyol process alternative to Pt-based catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Detailed structural analyses of Pd, Co and PdxCo1-x NPs revealed that fcc-Pd, fcc/hcp-Co and fcc-PdCo NPs crystal structures, and the lattice parameters were calculated as 3.5358 Å for Co NPs and 3.9777 Å for Pd NPs. The average size confirmed below 9 nm via TEM imaging and XPS data confirmed the formation of a bimetallic PdCo structure. Although Pd catalyst is mostly responsible for HER process, Pd62Co38 catalysts reduced the onset potential to about 197 mV and provided greater current density. Although Ea values were slightly higher against the Pt/C (20 wt %) benchmark which is reported as 16 kJ mol−1, PdCo NPs provided considerably reduced activation energy (Ea) values compared to Pd/C catalyst of 31 kJ mol−1. The best onset potential was recorded for Pd62Co38 catalysts for HER activity which is 16 mV higher compared to commercially available Pt/C catalyst.