Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy最新文献

Organometal halide perovskites (OHPs) are one of the viable options for solar absorber materials because their power conversion efficiencies are getting better and better over time. In the conventional n-i-p-based configuration, TiO₂ has been widely used as an electron transport layer (ETL). However, a number of constraints, such as low electron mobility and a mismatched band alignment with perovskite, restrict future advances in solar performance and device environmental stability. As a result, SnO₂ has garnered a lot of interest as a potential replacement due to the comparatively low manufacturing temperature, better electron mobility and appropriate energy alignment w.r.t perovskite. In this experimental work, the primary emphasis was placed on enhancing the efficiency as well as the stability of OHPs by performing interface engineering at the ETL (SnO₂)/perovskite interface. We improved the surface quality of the SnO₂ ETL layer by using a material called 8-Hydroxyquinoline, which was quite inexpensive, and we prepared a favourable plane for the deposition of perovskite. Remarkably, the proposed surface modification material made the SnO₂ layer easier to wet and impacted the growth of perovskite grains. This made the perovskite layer more compact and smooth. Our experimental findings imply that the OHPs’ enhanced charge recombination resistance and decreased charge transfer resistance are caused by effective defect passivation at the junction of the SnO₂ and perovskite films, as well as a decrease in recombination due to unwanted trap states. The fabricated cell produced a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.42%, higher than a PCE of 17.9% obtained for a device without surface modification. The proposed material for changing the surface also made OHPs more stable by reducing the surface paths for the reaction with humidity and reducing the amount of extra PbI₂ in the perovskite layer. Various research groups have investigated the modification of SnO₂ ETL using interfacial engineering methods and have contributed to enhancing OHPs’ solar performance and device stability.

In the current work, the effect of the surface phase structure of silicon wafer on the copper assisted chemical etching (Cu-ACE) behavior was investigated by adopting N-type monocrystal silicon with different thickness as raw material. An inverted pyramid structure was prepared with the method of Cu-ACE, which exhibited a mild reaction temperature with the reflectance reaching as low as 6.34%. Furthermore, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was employed as an additive to optimize the Cu-ACE process. The study revealed that CTAB molecules could adsorb Cu²⁺ near the silicon wafer surface in the HF/Cu(NO₃)₂/H₂O₂ solution, thereby promoting the deposition of copper particles and ensuring a uniform etching reaction. When 3 mg of CTAB was added to 100 mL of etching solution, the inverted pyramid structure showed larger dimensions and was more uniformly distributed, an excellent antireflection effect was achieved with the reflectance significantly reduced from 10.8% to 4.6%. This process could stably fabricate inverted pyramid structures, and is expected to advance the development of high-efficiency single-crystal solar cells in the future.

New electrolytes are necessary for the development of eco-friendly and cost-effective solid-state magnesium batteries. Methylamine borane-magnesium borohydride Mg(BH₄)₂-CH₃NH₂BH₃ combined with MgO is suggested as a novel solid state electrolyte. In fact, Mg(BH₄)₂-CH₃NH₂BH₃ 0.33–0.67 (molar fraction) is a viscous liquid at room temperature, but it can be stabilized in the solid state after the incorporation of 75 wt% of MgO. The obtained composite exhibits remarkable Mg²⁺ conductivity, achieving approximately 10^–5 S cm^-1 at 25 °C and 10^–4 S cm^–1 at 65 °C.

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First-principle investigations explore materials science for functional purposes. The physical properties of CsGeCl₃ are investigated under pressure in steps of 1.0 GPa. The CASTEP and GGA-PBE technique is used to understand the characteristics of cubic-based CsGeCl₃ crystal structures with space group 221. The energy bandgap (BG) exhibited direct semiconductors to metallic transition nature at pressures and its value decreased from 1.06 to 0.0 eV. It is observed during computations that it maintains the cubic phase with lattice parameters decreasing from 5.33 to 5.02 Å. A thorough analysis of optical characteristics under pressure shows that the UV spectrum region corresponds to strong peaks in optical properties, with a slight shift in peaks towards greater energies. Additionally, it satisfies the Born stability for mechanical stability and has an anisotropic (A) nature due to the anisotropic factor (0.529 to 1.501) of unity. The ductile nature of CsGeCl₃ is indicated by the Poisson scale (0.260 to 0.289) limits and Pugh’s ratio (1.751 to 2.037). If Cauchy pressure (C_p) is low, the material shows non-metallic behavior, and at high pressures, it shows metallic behavior, with a range of 1.299 to 9.961 GPa. As a result, the analysis shows that said material is suitable for photovoltaic and optoelectronic activity.

Sulfonamide derivatives as semiconductor materials for organic optoelectronic devices, including photovoltaic (PV), have received considerable interest. In the present work, the synthesis of novel pyrogallol-sulfonamide derivatives based on a molecular hybridization approach yielded N-((4-((2,3,4-trihydroxyphenyl)diazenyl)phenyl)sulfonyl)acetamide (N-DPSA). The techniques of spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), and mass spectrum were utilized to identify the structural composition of the synthesized N-DPSA. The new N-DPSA was investigated by Hall-effect measurement to prove the positive charge carrier (hole mobility) with mobility and conductivity of 2.39 × 10³ cm²/Vs and 1.76 × 10^–1 1/Ω cm, respectively. Consequently, N-DPSA could be proposed as a strong candidate as a p-type semiconductor (hole transport layer (HTL)). The optical energy gap was computed at 2.03 eV, indicating the direct optical transition nature of N-DPSA. The elaborated molecular semiconductor's thermal features, molecular modelling, and electronic energy levels were also investigated. The new N-DPSA at various concentrations provided easy synthesis, cheap cost, high performance, and a straightforward design approach for a possible HTL in effective perovskite solar cells (PSCs). A PCE of 7.3% is shown for the N-DPSA-based PSC at its optimal concentration.

This study employed low-cost biomass wastes for the synthesis of biodiesel that is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The major raw material (oil) was obtained by steam distillation (SD) from Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth leaf (CHKL) and was characterized for its aptness for biodiesel production. Dwarft green coconut husk ash (DGCHA) was used as a bio-adsorbent for acid value reduction of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth leaves oil (CHKLO). A novel, highly potassium-based catalyst was derived from Karpuravalli banana peels (KBP), calcined, and characterized using TGA, ZETA, FTIR, SEM-EDX, XRF-FS, and BET analysis. Biodiesel was synthesized using a microwave-assisted method, characterized, and compared with the recommended standard. The catalytic strength of the calcined Karpuravalli banana peel powder (CKBPP) was tested using a reusability test, and the cost evaluation of production was estimated. Results showed that the CHKL was rich in oil (43% wt./wt.), and the oil is highly acidic (5.23 mg KOH/g oil). At high particle size, the dwarf green coconut husk ash (DGCHA) bagasse reduced the acid value to a minimum (1.4 mg KOH/g oil) at 3 days. The developed novel catalyst from CKBPP indicated high potassium-calcium contents for base transesterification. Process optimization indicated that the predicted response data of 95.285% (wt./wt.) at T₁ = 90 min, T₂ = 60 ^oC, T₃ = 4.5% (wt.), and T₄ = 9 (vol./vol.) was validated in triplicate, and the average data value of 95.10% (wt./wt.) was established. Dataset on the quality of biodiesel showed that the produced biodiesel properties were in line with recommended standards. Economic appraisal data showed that the cost of producing 20 L of CHKLOB (biodiesel) was $4.73 at 1,500 to $1. The study concluded that the production of biodiesel from waste can be cost-effective and environmentally friendly if wastes are harness.

Graphical Abstract

Here, we describe the analysis of the capacitive performance of activated carbon materials derived from the biowaste of lemon. Lemon peel discarded by restaurants after juice extraction is carbonized at 400 ⁰C followed by chemical activation using ZnCl₂. The porosity of carbon materials is tailored by varying activation conditions, such as the mass ratio of carbonized lemon peel and ZnCl₂, duration of heating, and temperature. The Brunauer–Emmett– Teller (BET) surface area and pore volume of carbon materials prepared at different activating conditions range from 1380 to 2120 m²g⁻¹ and 0.38 to 0.69 cm³ g⁻¹ respectively. The derived carbon materials are amorphous indicated by the broad peaks in the XRD pattern as well as disordered structure of the carbon materials is revealed by the Raman spectroscopic analysis. The systematic analysis of capacitive performance of activated carbons by employing electrochemical techniques like Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Galvanostatic charge/Discharge (GCD) cycles, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in acidic (H₂SO₄) and alkaline (KOH) media indicates that optimum condition for activation of lemon peel is 600 °C for 60 min with 1:1 mass ratio of carbonized lemon peel and ZnCl₂. The superior performance of (ALP-600) is attributed to its high surface area and well-connected hierarchical porous structure. The tiny hump at ~ 0.2 V in CV might be due to the pseudocapacitive nature of oxygen functional groups indicated by FTIR. ALP-600 exhibits the highest specific capacitance of 180 Fg⁻¹ and retains 99.7% of its initial capacitance after 5000 cycles in the acidic electrolyte. The maximum capacitance achieved with ALP-600 symmetric cell in CR2032 coin cell configuration is 0.90F.

In the ongoing quest for sustainable construction practices, the exploration of innovative materials is paramount, and cork has emerged as a remarkable eco-friendly building material with vast untapped potential. Cork, harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without harming them, possesses a unique combination of qualities that make it an ideal candidate for environmentally conscious construction. Cork is exceptionally renewable and biodegradable. What makes cork even more promising is its compatibility with various existing construction materials, including cement, plastic, and plywood. By integrating cork with these materials, we can improve their structural integrity, thermal performance, and acoustic insulation, while reducing their environmental impact. By harnessing the potential of cork and seamlessly merging its exceptional performance with a planet-conscious approach, the construction industry can significantly reduce its ecological footprint. Cork emerges as a compelling contender in shaping a greener, more resilient construction landscape, offering a sustainable alternative that aligns with our growing commitment to environmentally responsible building practices. This eco-friendly material not only benefits the environment but also enhances the overall quality and sustainability of our built environment.

Sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) has received substantial attention for its potential to improve the electrochemical behavior and thermomechanical capabilities of direct methanol fuel cells. This study examines how the integration by solution casting of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and 2,3-dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) onto highly sulfonated PEEK (with a sulfonation degree of 80%) affects its physicochemical properties and morphological structures. The mechanical attributes and proton conductivity of the polymer matrix are impacted by MCC and DAC inclusion into SPEEK membrane. The maximum proton conductivity was seen in the SPEEK/MCC membranes at 70 °C (up to 0.1 S cm⁻¹). The proton conductivity in methanol vapor was increased by SPEEK/DAC membranes at high temperatures as opposed to pristine SPEEK and SPEEK/MCC membranes.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) offer its ability to sense, control and actuate on sub-micron scale and exhibit its effect on macro scale. To implement any specific MEMS system, small, efficient and long-lifespan micro power sources are required. Piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) along with radioactive source is one of the most promising approaches to harness electrical energy at micro to millimeter range. In this report, a scandium (Sc) doped Aluminium Nitride (AlN) unimorph piezoelectric energy harvester has been demonstrated. Unimorph piezoelectric layer is built on Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) substrate platform that act as cantilever beam and that can be vibrated by inbuilt radioactive system. In particular, Si₃N₄ as cantilever material and the impact of Sc doping concentration on electrical and mechanical properties of AlN piezoelectric thin film materials have been studied in MATLAB simulation platform. Results obtained from numerical study suggests that the proposed energy harvester model composed of AlScN unimorph piezoelectric (with 10% Sc doping concentration, Sc-10%) layer and Si₃N₄ cantilever can yield a maximum power output of ~ 19.33 μW and overall mechanical energy conversion efficiency of ~ 91.07%. These are the maximum output power and mechanical energy conversion efficiency numerically obtained from Sc doped AlN piezoelectric energy harvester systems to the best of our knowledge.