Ethanol Fuel Research Articles

Abstract This study reports the application of electrodeposited graphene oxide (GO)‐modified nickel mesh electrodes (GO@Ni‐m) as efficient electrodes for direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC). GO@Ni‐m50 (50 cyclic voltammetry cycles) exhibited the best electrocatalytic activity, achieving a (current density ∼15.37 mA cm−2 and onset potential 0.45 V versus Hg/HgO) at 1 M ethanol in 0.1 M KOH, due to improved surface area, conductivity, excellent stability, and low charge transfer resistance (Rct ≈ 4.5 Ω·cm2). The density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal a direct mechanism of ethanol electrooxidation to acetaldehyde, at an adsorption energy of −0.77 eV on GO@Ni‐m50, due to the synergism of GO and Ni‐m. Further surface modification with iron‐nickel (FeNi) and platinum‐carbon (Pt/C) nanoparticles revealed contrasting effects with reduced current densities due to hindered electron mobility through GO layers. Next, the electrooxidation of bioethanol (derived from potato peel fermentation) resulted in a current density of >10 mA cm−2, confirming its practical applicability in bioethanol driven alkaline fuel cells. The GO@Ni‐m50 platform demonstrates high efficiency for ethanol and bioethanol oxidation and holds promise for other biomass‐derived alcohol fuels. The future studies on enhancing long‐term durability of the electrodes can enrich their applicability in sustainable electrochemical energy conversion systems.

The development of advanced anode electrocatalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) faces key challenges related to the complete oxidation of ethanol, particularly the cleavage of the CC bond. This study investigates the impact of chemical functionalization (using HNO3, H2O2, and urea) of mesoporous carbon (MC) supports on the performance of Pt and PtRe catalysts. Functionalization modifies the carbon structure, introducing nanowindows or causing wall degradation, altering conductivity and surface chemistry without significantly affecting particle size. Catalysts synthesized by the polyol method are characterized structurally, texturally, and electrochemically. The results demonstrate that Re addition enhances ethanol electrooxidation through synergistic effects with Pt, reducing onset potentials and increasing electrochemically active surface areas, particularly at an optimal Re loading of 3 wt%. Functionalized supports, especially MC-HNO3, further improve catalyst dispersion and electrochemical performance. Prototype fuel cell tests confirm these trends, highlighting the importance of metal synergy and carbon surface functionalization.

Design and Optimization of Anode Catalysts for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells: Advances and Challenges in C-C Bond Activation and Selective Modulation of the C1 Pathway

Engineering lattice strain, electronic structure, and crystallinity in palladium alloys offers a promising approach to significantly enhance their electrocatalytic performance. In this work, we present a versatile strategy to synthesize Pd-based phosphide alloys integrated with non-noble metal atoms (Pd-M-P; M = Co, Ni, Cu), characterized by expanded lattice structures and a crystalline-amorphous core-shell architecture. Catalytic performance assessments revealed that CuPdP exhibits an impressive mass activity of 7.96 A mgPd-1 for the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR), which is 10.6 times higher than that of commercial Pd/C. This performance enhancement can be attributed to the precisely engineered lattice tensile strain and the strong p-d hybridization interaction between P and Pd. Density functional theory calculations further confirmed that these factors facilitate enhanced OH adsorption and weakened CO adsorption, thereby significantly improving EOR performance. This study presents an effective strategy for the atomic-level engineering of palladium alloy nanomaterials to achieve good electrocatalytic performance, providing a method for designing highly active catalysts.

Ethanol is a biofuel in which its storage and physical condition are almost the same as gasoline (fuel oil). It is still possible to drive a gasoline engine with ethanol in low concentrations. However, applying high concentrations to gasoline engines will require modifications, such as changing injection duration and compression ratio. This is done to get better performance and emissions than the use of gasoline fuel. In this study, the gasoline engine used was a 177cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine with E75 (75% Ethanol and 25% Pertalite), where the test engine was modified on the injection duration section with the replacement of standard ECU components into a programmable ECU. The replacement aims to facilitate changes in engine parameters, such as injection duration. In injection duration mapping, basic mapping values are added by 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%. Then, the compression ratio is changed from 11:1 to 13:1. In comparison, testing is performed under standard machine conditions using Pertalite (E0). To test engine performance, a Prony brake dynamometer is used, while to test exhaust emissions are used exhaust gas analyser. E75 fuel use in the study resulted in torque and power increased by 30% and 19% with additional injection duration (8%) and (6%). However, in E75 use the duration of injection (2%) and (4%) decreased. This is related to AFR values, where injection duration (2%) and (4%) run on lean AFR. Then the SFC result increases, which is affected by the low heat value of ethanol fuel. And the use of ethanol E75 can reduce CO and HC emissions by 69.5% and 17% respectively.

The connection between sugar and ethanol prices is in line with concerns about the connection between oil and food prices. This paper studies the nexus between Colombia’s ethanol and sugar prices and the role that weather shocks play. Data on production and prices from the sugar mills and climate data on precipitation and temperature are used to estimate two ways to capture the relationship between prices and the role of weather shocks. First, a reduced-form estimation is made, where the study finds evidence of the pass-through of the international price to domestic prices and how high precipitation and temperature shocks increase prices. Then, the study addresses potential simultaneity problems between prices and estimates a VEC model with exogenous variables such as weather shocks. Results show that all domestic prices are affected by the international price, and the international price is affected by the white sugar domestic prices. Additionally, sugar prices react to shocks in ethanol prices, but ethanol prices do not react to shocks in sugar prices. Finally, weather shocks affect sugar prices, with daytime temperature shocks being the most damaging.

<div>Global climate initiatives and government regulations are driving the demand for zero-carbon tailpipe emission vehicles. To ensure a sustainable transition, rapid action strategies are essential. In this context, renewable fuels can reduce lifecycle CO<sub>2</sub> emissions and enable low-soot and NOx emissions. This study examines the effects of renewable ethanol in dual-fuel (DF) and blend fueling modes in a compression ignition (CI) engine. The novelty of this research lies in comparing different combustion modes using the same engine test rig. The methodology was designed to evaluate the characteristics of various injection modes and identify the inherent features that define their application ranges. The investigation was conducted on a single-cylinder engine equipped with state-of-the-art combustion technology.</div> <div>The results indicate that the maximum allowable ethanol concentration is 30% in blend mode, due to blend stability and regulatory standards, and 70% in DF mode, due to combustion stability and emission concerns. DF mode produces higher THC and CO emissions compared to blend or conventional diesel combustion (CDC) modes. However, ethanol consistently reduces smoke formation across all engine test conditions and fueling modes. At ultra-low-NOx levels (0.5 g/kWh), smoke emissions remain below 0.5 FSN. At the highest ethanol fraction in DF mode (70%), smoke emissions decrease to very low levels (−0.1 FSN), with improvements in thermal efficiency and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. DF mode requires specific injection control strategies to mitigate THC and CO emissions. In blend mode, the highest ethanol fraction (30%) results in CO<sub>2</sub> and soot reductions, with CO and THC emissions comparable to CDC.</div>

Potassium-driven pathway modulation in CO2 hydrogenation: Tuning ethanol and liquid fuels synthesis over FeCuAl catalysts

Nano-Pd-decorated Electrochemically Exfoliated Graphene Oxide as Catalyst Layers in Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells

The utilization of rice straw as a renewable energy resource has received growing attention in the context of regional energy security and carbon emission reduction, particularly in Central Java, Indonesia. This review explores the potential of rice straw as a feedstock for bioethanol production, emphasizing its primary lignocellulosic components—α-cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin—and key conversion stages, including pretreatment, hydrolysis, fermentation, and purification. In addition, the performance of various technologies for converting bioethanol into electricity is critically examined. Among these, Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells (DEFCs) are identified as the most efficient, offering conversion efficiencies of 40–60% and notable environmental advantages over conventional ethanol-fueled combustion generators. The findings suggest that the integration of high-efficiency conversion technologies with the region’s abundant rice straw resources could represent a strategic pathway toward a more sustainable and low-emission regional energy system.

The advancement of clean electricity is positioning electrochemical reactors at the forefront of future electrosynthesis technologies. Solid-state electrolyte (SSE) reactors emerge for their distinctive configurations and ability to produce high-purity fuels and chemicals efficiently without additional purification steps. This marks a substantial development in electrochemical synthesis. In this perspective, we critically examine cutting-edge innovations in SSE devices with particular emphasis on the architectural introduction of core cell components, novel electrochemical cell configurations, and assembly methodologies. The use of SSE reactors is presently undergoing a pivotal transition from fundamental laboratory investigations to large-scale engineering implementations, demonstrating remarkable progress in multiple domains: (1) sustainable synthesis of high-value organic acids (formic and acetic acids), (2) production of critical oxidizers hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and liquid fuels (ethanol), (3) ammonia (NH3) production, (4) carbon capture technologies, (5) lithium recovery and recycling, and (6) tandem or coupling strategies for high-value-added products. Importantly, the transformative potential in environmental remediation, particularly for airborne pollutant sequestration and advanced wastewater purification, is addressed. Additionally, the innovative architectural blueprints for next-generation SSE stack are presented, aiming to establish a comprehensive framework to guide the transition from laboratory-scale innovation to industrial-scale deployment of SSE devices in the foreseeable future.

The paper presents the results of tribological studies of the influence of nanoscale additives on the properties of ethanol and biodiesel fuels. The non-monotonic extreme nature of the dependence of the carrying capacity of liquid fuels on the content of nanoscale particles is revealed; this indicator changes most maximally in the region of ultra-low concentrations of nanoparticles (several ppm). The possibility of improving the synthesis and modification of carbon spheroidal nanoclusters by conducting high-frequency high-voltage synthesis in various organic solvents has been shown, which allowed to increase significantly the set of starting materials for the synthesis with the inclusion of various elements in the structure of CNSs. In order to increase the yield of carbon nanospheres during synthesis in the liquid phase, a reactor with a given angle of the interelectrode space was made for the first time for use in the synthesis process of "Jacob's ladder". For the first time, the hypothesis proposal has been made that individual carbon nanoparticles, obtained by high-voltage high-frequency plasma-chemical synthesis, which appear as spheroidal objects in electron microscopic images, are actually twisted coils of linear chain molecules of the polyyne type – carbynes.

To address the design and optimization of the ignition system for the microgravity single-droplet combustion experiment module within the Combustion Science Experimental System (CSES) aboard the Chinese Space Station (CSS), it is essential to first determine the ignition temperatures required for typical liquid fuel droplets. In this study, ignition experiments were conducted on droplets of three representative hydrocarbon fuels—ethanol, n-heptane, and n-dodecane—in static air at high temperatures ranging from 760 K to 1100 K. The experimental results show that the initial droplet diameter is inversely correlated with the ambient temperature at which ignition occurs. Subsequently, based on Frank-Kamenetskii’s analytical method and combined with experimental data, a semi-empirical predictive model for droplet ignition temperatures in a normal-gravity environment was derived. Building upon this, and considering the characteristics of the microgravity environment, an appropriate empirical formula was applied to refine the model, resulting in a predictive model for droplet ignition temperatures in the microgravity environment. Furthermore, by comparing the experimental data and the observed phenomena from existing microgravity experiments, this semi-empirical predictive model used in the microgravity environment effectively reflects the trend of droplet ignition temperature variations.

Effect of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and ferric chloride on hypergolic ignition of solidified ethanol fuels

Performance and In-cylinder Combustion Analysis of Gasoline Ethanol Fueled Spark-Ignition Engine

A novel strategy for the qualitative analysis of carbohydrates is developed, utilizing a direct catalytic fuel cell (DCFC) as a sensor, combined with chemometric tools for processing the resulting response curves. Specifically, carbohydrate solutions were incubated with yeast to produce alcohol, and the corresponding current decay trends were measured using a direct catalytic fuel cell designed for ethanol detection. Multiple data processing approaches were then evaluated. Initially, the entire set of data points from the response curves was analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). To reduce analysis time, chemometric processing was subsequently restricted to the initial portion of the response curves. Finally, to enhance the results, the current decay curves were analyzed in conjunction with the linear fitting parameters derived from the quasi-linear region of the initial response curves, utilizing the common dimension (ComDim) algorithm.

Large eddy simulations of turbulent premixed bluff body flames operated with ethanol, n-heptane, and jet fuels

The implementation of Chinese policies promoting fuel ethanol has significantly influenced the land use structure, water resources, and soil environment in ethanol raw material planting areas. This paper focuses on the Hulan River Basin, a benchmark region for maize cultivation, to investigate the specific crop allocation issues in relation to the impact of land use changes on water quality. The study projects an environmentally and economically sustainable structure for the cultivation of fuel ethanol raw materials using the CLUE-S model and multiple linear programming. Additionally, the carbon sequestration potential is assessed under different scenarios. Throughout the study period, the net ecosystem productivity (NEP) in the Hulan River Basin demonstrated variability, evidenced by a decrease of 33.96 gC·m−2·a−1 from 2010 to 2015 and a subsequent augmentation of 55.64 gC·m−2·a−1 from 2015 to 2020. Furthermore, the three scenarios (Grain Crop Priority Policy, Fuel Ethanol Crop Priority Policy, and Carbon Storage Priority Policy) effectively addressed the requirements for land use/cover types and enhanced carbon sequestration within the study area. Consequently, the outcomes provide a conceptual foundation for regional policymakers, providing insights into the refinement of land use within ethanol crop zones and fostering the advancement of the fuel ethanol industry, thus undergirding prospective land use strategies and refinement from the water, energy, food, and carbon perspectives.

The integrated production of ethanol fuel through the simultaneous use of various by-products and waste materials is an intriguing concept, as it maximizes the raw material potential while addressing the challenge of managing waste biomass from different technological processes. The efficient utilization of lignocellulosic waste depends on employing a pretreatment method that enhances the susceptibility of structural polysaccharides to hydrolysis. The aim of the study was to assess the possibility of the simultaneous use of corn stillage biomass and beet molasses as raw materials for the production of ethanol fuel. The research focused on optimizing the process conditions for the acid pretreatment of stillage biomass and the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and evaluating the effectiveness of two fermentation strategies: SHF (Separate Hydrolysis and Fermentation) and SSF (Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation). The highest hydrolysis susceptibility was observed in biomass pretreated with 2% v/v H3PO4 for 30 min at 121 °C. The maximum glucose concentration of about 12 g/L (hydrolysis efficiency about 35.5%) was achieved even with the lowest enzyme dose, i.e., 7.5 FPU per gram of biomass. The yeast also showed high fermentation activity in media prepared from stillage biomass and molasses, producing about 50 g/L of ethanol regardless of the fermentation strategy used. The complete fermentation of carbohydrates assimilated by yeast confirmed the complementarity of the two raw materials used to prepare fermentation media, emphasizing the high potential of the proposed technological solution for ethanol fuel production.

In Fuel Ethanol We Trust? Counting Costs of the Forsaken Malawi’s Fuel Ethanol Policy