Application Of Energy Technologies Research Articles

Interdisciplinary Aspects of Industry Innovations Use in Study Process Management at University

The paper provides an analysis and exposes the need for more intensive use of ICT in combination with modern sources of renewable energy for efficient implementation of modern control and management technologies. Some interdisciplinary aspects of renewable energy and IC technologies use at universities are analyzed. The objective of this paper is to outline the original approach to the connection of the study process at university in the field of applied knowledge and skills in scope of energy informatics with use of novel principles of energy use for infrastructure support and development. The use of innovation in energy and computer technologies for university infrastructure may guarantee the construction of very effective base for providing of practical training and R&D activities for students. Justification of the role of interdisciplinarity in form of energo informatics as provider of industry innovations use in study process at university is one of the tasks on the path to objective. Critical analysis of a concept, using the literature as data and hybrid discriptive method were implemented for assigned tasks realization. Concept of interdisciplinary approach at university in scope of innovative essence of energo informatics in theorethical and practical spheres will open not only new horizonts in educational process, but also provide a new technological solutions implementation in university study environment. The activities described in this article should be realized in the design and development of a complex, reliable, robust, and sustainable system for the interaction between different disciplines in the scientific field, in the field of education management, and also in the field of application of modern energy and IC technologies to ensure the sustainabiliy of the university infrastructure.

Electrocatalytic water splitting by bifunctional Zircon-doped borophene

Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are crucial for renewable energy technologies such as water splitting. Borophene, a two-dimensional (2D) boron material, has attracted significant interest for its unique electron deficiency and potential applications in energy conversion. However, practical studies on borophene’s electrocatalytic performance remain limited. Here, we demonstrate a strategy to enhance the bifunctional electrocatalytic activity in HER and OER of borophene by doping with zirconium compounds. The addition of Zr to boron enhances electrocatalytic properties by improving performance in both OER and HER, achieving overpotentials and Tafel slopes of 252 and 240 mV, 43 and 203 mV/dec, respectively. Additionally, conducting the measurements at 40 °C led to achieving the overall water-splitting potential of 1.541 (V vs. RHE). Stability tests over 1000 h at ± 10 mA/cm2 highlight the composite’s robustness, outperforming Pt/C in HER and matching the stability of RuO2 in OER. Ex-situ analyses: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveal insights into the chemical structure evolution during the electrochemical process. This study not only advances the understanding of borophene’s electrocatalytic mechanisms but also paves the way for its application in efficient and sustainable energy technologies.

Solar brilliance unleashed: Improving efficiency above 31% of inorganic halide perovskite of Mg3AsX3 (X = F, Cl, Br, I) using DFT and SCAPS-1D

This study investigates the structural, electronic, mechanical, and optical properties of the perovskites Mg3AsX3 (X = F, Cl, Br, I) using DFT and SCAPS-1D. The tolerance factor study shows that these materials are thermodynamically stable. Furthermore, the perovskites Mg3AsF3, Mg3AsCl3, Mg3AsBr3, and Mg3AsI3 exhibit direct bandgaps of 3.48, 2.06, 1.26, and 0.265 eV, respectively, confirming their semiconducting nature. The Mg3AsBr3 stands out for its ductility and excellent optical properties, such as a high dielectric constant and good conductivity, making it ideal for solar cells. Under optimal conditions, the FTO/WS2/Mg3AsBr3/Au structure demonstrated a PCE of 31.70%, with a VOC of 1.08 V, JSC of 36.03 mA/cm2, and a fill factor (FF) of 81.64%. These computational findings suggest that Mg3AsBr3-based perovskites are promising candidates for developing highly efficient, lead-free, durable, and cost-effective solar cells, offering valuable insights for their practical application in renewable energy technologies.

Nanophysics Is Boosting Nanotechnology for Clean Renewable Energy.

As nanophysics constitutes the scientific core of nanotechnology, it has a decisive potential for advancing clean renewable energy applications. Starting with a brief foray into the realms of nanophysics' potential, this review manuscript is expected to contribute to understanding why and how this science's eruption is leading to nanotechnological innovations impacting the clean renewable energy economy. Many environmentally friendly energy sources are considered clean since they produce minimal pollution and greenhouse gas emissions; however, not all are renewable. This manuscript focuses on experimental achievements where nanophysics helps reduce the operating costs of clean renewable energy by improving efficiency indicators, thereby ensuring energy sustainability. Improving material properties at the nanoscale, increasing the active surface areas of reactants, achieving precise control of the physical properties of nano-objects, and using advanced nanoscale characterization techniques are the subject of this in-depth analysis. This will allow the reader to understand how nanomaterials can be engineered with specific applications in clean energy technologies. A special emphasis is placed on the role of such signs of progress in hydrogen production and clean storage methods, as green hydrogen technologies are unavoidable in the current panorama of energy sustainability.

Non-Classical Heat Transfer and Recent Progress

Abstract Heat transfer in solids has traditionally been described by Fourier's law, which assumes local equilibrium and a diffusive transport regime. However, advancements in nanotechnology and the development of novel materials have revealed non-classical heat transfer phenomena that extend beyond this traditional framework. These phenomena, which can be broadly categorized into those governed by kinetic theory and those extending beyond it, include ballistic transport, phonon hydrodynamics, coherent phonon transport, Anderson localization, and glass-like heat transfer, among others. Recent theoretical and experimental studies have focused on characterizing these non-classical behaviors using methods such as the Boltzmann transport equation, molecular dynamics, and advanced spectroscopy techniques. In particular, the dual nature of phonons, exhibiting both particle-like and wave-like characteristics, is fundamental to understanding these phenomena. This review summarizes state-of-the-art findings in the field, highlighting the importance of integrating both particle and wave models to fully capture the complexities of heat transfer in modern materials. The emergence of new research areas, such as chiral and topological phonons, further underscores the potential for advancing phonon engineering. These developments open up exciting opportunities for designing materials with tailored thermal properties and new device mechanisms, potentially leading to applications in thermal management, energy technologies, and quantum science.

Electronic structure, phonons, and born effective charges in CuLaO2: A first-principles study

This study presents a first-principles investigation of the structural, electronic, dielectric, and dynamical properties of CuLaO2 in its rhombohedral delafossite phase using density functional theory. Our analysis reveals that CuLaO2 is a stable indirect band gap semiconductor with a 2.35 eV band gap, showing significant Cu (3d, 4s) and O (2p) orbital hybridization. Phonon dispersion calculations confirm dynamical stability with no imaginary frequencies, and the material exhibits anisotropic dielectric behavior due to mixed ionic-covalent bonding. These findings suggest that CuLaO2 has potential applications in optoelectronics and energy technologies, providing a theoretical basis for future experimental validation.

Harnessing Quantum Materials for Enhanced Energy Efficiency and Storage: A Comprehensive Study of Electronic Properties and Performance Optimization

This research explores the exciting potential of various quantum materials to enhance energy efficiency and storage capabilities, filling in a crucial gap in our understanding of their electronic properties and interactions. A major hurdle in this field is the lack of empirical data on key factors such as conductivity, charge mobility, and thermal stability—elements that are vital for optimizing the performance of these materials in energy applications. Our study aims to blend experimental data with computational simulations to create a robust framework for modelling how quantum materials behave under different conditions. This comprehensive approach helps lay a solid foundation for their practical use in energy technologies. We focus on an array of fascinating quantum materials, including topological insulators, transition metal dichalcogenides, and superconductors. To investigate these materials, we employ advanced techniques like scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy, which allow us to delve deep into their unique properties. While pursuing this research, we do encounter challenges. Variations in sample quality, environmental factors during experimentation, and the complexities of theoretical modelling can affect the consistency of our results and the interpretation of our data. Despite these obstacles, our findings suggest that certain quantum materials hold remarkable potential for enhancing energy storage and conversion systems through improved charge mobility and thermal stability. In fact, some materials have demonstrated conductivity levels that surpass those of traditional options, hinting at transformative applications in energy technologies. These insights highlight the importance of continuing our exploration of quantum materials, positioning them as promising candidates for tackling today’s energy challenges and paving the way for advancements in sustainable energy solutions.

Synergistic effects of feni bimetal-doped biochar on oxygen evolution reaction kinetics: A one-step, low-temperature pyrolysis approach

As the hydrogen energy sector progresses, water electrolysis technology played a crucial role in producing green hydrogen. A major challenge in this endeavor lied in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), where the overpotential has consistently been high leading to an increase in the energy demand. This study developed a one-step pyrolysis technique to transform metal-supported biomass into FeNi/NC catalysts having enhanced crystallinity and defect sites. This process without activation step using strong acids or bases reduced the operational procedures and the treatment of intermediate products, which reduced the technical difficulty. As the pyrolysis temperature increases, the metal ions in the biochar gradually formed stable metal oxides, which catalyze the alkaline OER and markedly boosted catalytic efficiency. Crucially, the abundance of lattice oxygen and oxygen vacancies in the catalyst played a key role in enhancing the OER kinetics. Notably, the catalyst pyrolyzed at 750 °C demonstrated good performance, with an overpotential of 270 mV at a concentration of 10 mA cm−2 of the density of current, which was superior to RuO2(η10=315 mV) and IrO2(η10=300 mV). Overall, this study reported an approach for the fabrication of high-performance OER catalysts and the strategic utilization of biomass resources for application in clean energy technologies.

Experimental study on electricity generation performance of T‐type direct‐expansion solar PVT heat pump system

AbstractFocusing on the electricity generation performance of a direct expansion solar PVT heat pump system, a novel T‐type optimized collector/evaporator was designed. The experiment used refrigerant R410a as the working medium and was conducted under the average winter ambient temperature of 16°C in Fuzhou. Through experimental comparison, the differences in panel temperature, electricity generation, and efficiency under different radiation intensities were tested against traditional PV panels and honeycomb PVT panels. The experimental results showed that the T‐type PVT system exhibited significant advantages under various weather conditions. The back panel temperature was reduced by 12.74, 8.52, and 13.06°C compared to traditional PV panels and honeycomb PVT panels, respectively, and it maintained a stable increase in electricity generation. The maximum instantaneous electricity output increased by 56.6% relatively, and the total electricity generation increased by 9.3% to 14.5% compared to traditional PV panels. The photoelectric efficiency reached 21.54% and 22.6%, surpassing traditional PV panels and honeycomb PVT panels, with measured values relatively increased by 1.7%, 2.38%, and 2.76%, respectively. Economic evaluation indicated that the T‐type PVT system could save on self‐generated electricity costs, achieving savings of up to 386.50 and 210.81 yuan/year compared to traditional PV panels and honeycomb PVT panels. The T‐type PVT system demonstrated clear advantages in self‐generated electricity costs, significantly reducing costs for application scenarios and providing strong support for the practical application of renewable energy technologies.

Shape-controllable synthesis of lignin-derived boron-doped nanoporous carbons for dye adsorption and electrochemical H2O2 production

Lignin-derived nanocarbon materials (LNCMs) have attracted intense attention due to their excellent properties and promising applications in renewable energy technologies. However, lignins tend to melt and agglomerate during pyrolysis, make it difficult to control the morphology and pore structure of the resulting carbon. In this study, boron-doped porous nanocarbon (BFC) in various shapes (sphere, band, and sheet) were synthesized using ammonium borate as a crosslinking agent to prevent lignin melting, assisted by liquid nitrogen freeze-drying and potassium phosphate (KP) templating. The effects of BFC structure on methylene blue adsorption and electrochemical generation of H2O2 were investigated. The results show that KP-1/1-8BFC exhibits a high specific surface area (912.89 m2/g) and a hierarchical micro-mesoporous structure, achieving a remarkable adsorption capacity of 473.9 mg/g for methylene blue and rapid kinetics. The selectivity of KP-1/20-8BFC for electrochemical production of H2O2 reaches 85 %. This study offers theoretical guidance for the controllable synthesis of LNCMs, contributing to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions.

Bimetallic Rh–Pd aerogels as efficient materials for ethanol electrooxidation

This study introduces a series of Rh–Pd bimetallic aerogels Rh75Pd25, Rh50Pd50, and Rh25Pd75 as efficient electrocatalysts for ethanol electrooxidation, crucial for direct ethanol fuel cell technology. The bimetallic Rh–Pd and monometallic Rh and Pd aerogels were synthesized from RhCl3 and PdCl2 as starting materials and sodium borohydride as the reducing agent. A combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental mapping, and electron microscopy studies of the bimetallic aerogels enable compositional analysis of the materials and provide insight into the porous 3D nanoarchitecture. Importantly, the material performs efficiently as an electrocatalyst on glassy carbon electrodes for the oxidation of ethanol under basic conditions (1.0 M KOH) at onset potentials ranging from −0.59 to −0.64 V (vs. Hg/HgO). Importantly, these materials exhibit high peak current densities of 216 mA/cm2 for the Rh-rich Rh75Pd25 to 536 mA/cm2 for Rh25Pd75, which are significantly higher than reported peak current densities for other Pd-containing electrocatalysts. The 1H and 13C NMR techniques were used to evaluate products for ethanol electrooxidation, with the results indicating selectivity for acetic acid. This demonstrates an enhanced catalytic activity, selectivity to acetic acid vs. CO2, representing a significant step in advancing DEFCs and their broader application in sustainable energy technologies.

A Facile Low Prevacuum Treatment to Enhance the Durability of Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells

Herein, a straightforward vacuum‐assisted method is introduced to enhance the stability of nonfullerene organic solar cells (OSCs). The method, termed “prevacuum” involves subjecting the active layer (D18:Y6) to a low‐pressure vacuum (−1 bar) before thermal annealing at 100 °C. Compared to untreated devices, prevacuum‐treated OSCs exhibit a notable increase in power conversion efficiency from 13.71% to 14.90%. This enhancement is attributed to improved light absorption and charge extraction, as evidenced by external quantum efficiency measurements. Moreover, prevacuum treatment significantly improves device stability under operational conditions, with a 30% power loss occurring after 8.25 h compared to 4.5 h for untreated devices. This improvement is attributed to the removal of volatile components and impurities during the vacuum process, leading to a more hydrophobic and stable active layer. The study demonstrates the efficacy of prevacuum treatment as a simple and accessible method for enhancing the performance and longevity of OSCs, paving the way for their broader application in sustainable energy technologies.

Artificial neural network enabled photovoltaic-thermoelectric generator modelling and analysis

Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric Generator (PV-TEG) system has emerged as a promising approach to significantly enhance the efficiency of conventional PV cells. However, optimizing the performance of these hybrid systems presents a formidable challenge due to their complex structure and multitude of design parameters. This study tackles such challenge by developing a machine learning based Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model which comprises two sub-ANN models that can work independently for PV and TEG modules or in combination through a cyclic approach for the hybrid PV-TEG system. The model demonstrates remarkable versatility, allowing control over various parameters such as PV coating, device geometry, and environmental conditions. Compared to COMSOL simulations, the ANN model achieves over 97.6 % accuracy with a 6000-fold increase in simulation speed, enabling extensive parameter sweeps and insightful system analysis. Within 18 min, the model conducted a real-time simulation using 8712 weather data entries from Singapore in 2022 and predicted that the hybrid PV-TEG system would generate a total power of 265 kWh/m2, 6.4 % more than that of the standalone PV system with an average system temperature reduction of 7 K. The model's rapid processing capabilities and high accuracy are particularly beneficial for large-scale simulations and practical applications in renewable energy technology.

One-pot synthesis of supported PtCox bifunctional catalysts for oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions

Hydrogen fuel cells and water electrolyzers hold significant potential for net zero emission and climate change mitigation, but their practical applications are limited by the use of the precious-metal platinum as catalysts. In this study, a one-pot method is developed for the synthesis of PtCox alloys supported on hybrid carbon materials, and it is found that the developed catalysts with reduced Pt loading can act as excellent bifunctional catalysts for both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Morphology and composition characterizations indicate uniform dispersion and adjustable composition of PtCox alloys with the particle size of ∼3 nm on the carbon support. Among them, Pt3Co/C achieves the highest ORR performance with a high mass activity of 179.23 A/g and a specific activity of 3.15 A/m2 in acidic condition, and an extremely low overpotential of 47.6 mV at 10 mA/cm2 in alkaline media as a HER catalyst. This study presents a cost-effective approach for the development of high performance PtCox/C catalysts, and confirms their potential application in hydrogen energy technologies.

Research on the Optimization and Application of New Energy Technologies in Clean Coal Conversion

With the continuous growth of global energy demand and increasingly severe environmental issues, clean coal technology has garnered significant attention as a crucial means to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of coal utilization. However, traditional clean coal conversion technologies often suffer from low energy utilization efficiency and insufficient environmental pollution control. In recent years, the application of new energy technologies in the clean coal conversion process has shown tremendous potential, significantly optimizing energy conversion efficiency, reducing emissions, and enhancing economic benefits. This paper systematically explores the application of solar energy, wind energy, and biomass energy in clean coal conversion, analyzes the mechanisms and methods through which new energy technologies optimize the clean coal conversion process, and proposes future research directions and policy recommendations.

Atomically Engineered Defect-Rich Palladium Metallene for High-Performance Alkaline Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysis.

Defect engineering is a key chemical tool to modulate the electronic structure and reactivity of nanostructured catalysts. Here, it is reported how targeted introduction of defect sites in a 2D palladium metallene nanostructure results in a highly active catalyst for the alkaline oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). A defect-rich WOx and MoOx modified Pd metallene (denoted: D-Pd M) is synthesized by a facile and scalable approach. Detailed structural analyses reveal the presence of three distinct atomic-level defects, that are pores, concave surfaces, and surface-anchored individual WOx and MoOx sites. Mechanistic studies reveal that these defects result in excellent catalytic ORR activity (half-wave potential 0.93V vs. RHE, mass activity 1.3AmgPd-1 at 0.9 V vs. RHE), outperforming the commercial references Pt/C and Pd/C by factors of ≈7 and ≈4, respectively. The practical usage of the compound is demonstrated by integration into a custom-built Zn-air battery. At low D-Pd M loading (26µgPdcm-2), the system achieves high specific capacity (809mAhgZn -1) and shows excellent discharge potential stability. This study therefore provides a blueprint for the molecular design of defect sites in 2D metallene nanostructures for advanced energy technology applications.

Research on the Application of New Energy and Low-carbon Technologies in the Repair of Concrete Surface Defects

Photovoltaic heating is a new energy technology, which plays an obvious role in concrete curing, which can shorten the curing time of concrete. However, the role of this technology in concrete surface repair is not clear. In order to expand the application scope of low-carbon energy, this paper takes concrete surface repair as the research object and conducts photovoltaic heating analysis. Firstly, the data of concrete surface depression were collected, and then the repair effect of photovoltaic heating technology on the concrete surface was analyzed with C30 # as the research object, such as compressive strength, curing time, complex spacing, repair cost and energy consumption. and analyze the range of variation of each indicator; The results show that the photovoltaic heating technology can shorten the curing time by 20% and improve the compressive strength to 50kg/m2 with a complex spacing of less than 20 microns. At the same time, the repair cost and energy consumption are reduced, and the reduction range is 15~18%. Therefore, new energy and low-carbon technologies such as photovoltaic heating can effectively repair concrete surface defects, build on the cost and energy consumption of repair, improve the repair time, and meet the overall requirements of concrete construction.

Electrification as a factor in replacing hydrocarbon fuel

The article looks at the role of electrification that is expanding as a key factor in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. The study is based on a systemic approach and aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the necessary transformations in energy production and consumption directed at phasing out fossil fuels and advancing the climate agenda. The novelty of the study resides in the development of conceptual foundations of the fuel-saving aspect of electrification which makes it possible to not only significantly reduce the negative environmental effects in regions, but also to ensure intensive economic growth through the application of advanced energy technologies and minimization of the use of a scarce energy carrier - natural gas - in the power industry and industry. The article clarifies the conceptual apparatus, defines the characteristics and patterns of the new stage of electrification, assesses the impact of electrification on the economic growth and environmental safety of the region, gives recommendations on optimizing the technological structure of the electric power industry in the context of the changing requirements for the parameters of electricity supply. The authors propose a methodology for accounting for the environmental factor in the electrification of the region, which includes ranking and selecting facilities to be electrified according to the minimum “electric fuel replacement ratio”; using the associated energy saving effect for financial compensation of the environmental burden, as well as introducing electricity demand management programs that improve the environmental situation in the region. The article defines the sequence of the implementation of the fuel-saving aspect of electrification and formulates a set of progressive solutions that would invigorate the relevant projects.

Revealing the Path-Dependence of Catalyst Degradation in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Electro-catalyst plays a central role in many clean energy technology applications including water electrolysis for green hydrogen generation, emission free fuel cells for transportation, electrochemical CO2 reduction and combine heat and power generation. Electro-catalysts degrade via multiple mechanisms, depending on the exact operating conditions in its life cycles. In this presentation, we demonstrate the dependance of the electro-catalyst degradation in polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) on the specific “paths” that the fuel cell takes to age. Specifically, differently ordered aging protocols with the same total number of accelerated stress tests (ASTs) cycles (i.e., 31,000 total cycles including 30,000 cycles of square-wave load/unload ASTs and 1000 cycles of triangular-wave carbon corrosion ASTs) were used to degrade membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). At the end-of-life, performances were distinct, indicating that depending on the specific aging route taken, the fuel cell catalyst layer degrades differently after same number of total AST cycles. The load/unload aging protocol led to more severe losses of performance when preceding after the carbon corrosion aging ASTs

Recent strategies to improve the electroactivity of metal–organic frameworks for advanced electrocatalysis

AbstractMetal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising materials in the realm of electrocatalysis due to their high surface area, tunable porosity, and versatile chemical functionality. However, their practical application has been hampered by inherent limitations such as low electrical conductivity and a limited number of active metal sites. Researchers addressed these challenges through various strategies, including enhancing conductivity by incorporating conductive materials and metal nanoparticles, modifying the structure and composition of MOFs by replacing metal nodes and functionalizing linkers, and preparing MOFs catalysts through thermal processes such as decarburization and conversion into metal oxides, phosphides (MPs), and sulfides (MSs). This review provided a comprehensive summary of the strategies that were employed to enhance the electroactivity of MOFs for improved electrocatalytic performance in recent years. It also explored future directions and potential innovations in the design and synthesis of MOF‐based electrocatalysts, offering valuable insights for advancing their application in sustainable energy technologies.