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In the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, the development of materials with efficient hydrogen and methane storage capacities is imperative, particularly for advancing hydrogen-powered vehicles. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising candidates to meet the stringent targets set by the Department of Energy for both hydrogen and methane storage. This study employs Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the usable hydrogen and methane gravimetric and volumetric storage capacities of the recently synthesized SIGSUA. A comparative analysis encompasses the selected MOFs with similar metal compositions, those with comparable density and average pore radius, and classical benchmarks, such as IRMOF-15 and IRMOF-20, all evaluated at room temperature and moderate pressures ranging from 25 to 35 MPa. The results reveal that SIGSUA demonstrates noteworthy gravimetric and volumetric storage capacities for both hydrogen and methane, rivaling or surpassing those of the selected MOFs for analysis. These findings underscore the potential of SIGSUA in advancing clean energy storage technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is an important research problem relevant to a variety of sustainable energy technologies. However, obtaining high photocatalytic efficiency from visible light absorbing semiconductors is challenging due to a combination of weak absorption, transport losses, and low activity. Aspects of this problem have been addressed by multilayer approaches, which provide a general scheme for engineering surface reactivity and stability independent of electronic considerations. However, an analogous broad framework for optimizing light–matter interactions has not yet been demonstrated. Here, we establish a photonic approach using semiconductor metasurfaces that is highly effective in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of GaAs, a high-performance semiconductor with a near-infrared bandgap. Our engineered pillar arrays with heights of ∼150 nm exhibit Mie resonances near 700 nm that result in near-unity absorption and exhibit a field profile that maximizes charge carrier generation near the solid–liquid interface, enabling short transport distances. Our hybrid metasurface photoanodes facilitate oxygen evolution and exhibit enhanced incident photon-to-current efficiencies that are ∼22× larger than a corresponding thin film for resonant excitation and 3× larger for white light illumination. Key to these improvements is the preferential generation of photogenerated carriers near the semiconductor interface that results from the field enhancement profile of magnetic dipolar-type modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reviews available van der Waals- and Platteeuw-based hydrate models considering multiple occupancy of cavities. Small guest molecules, such as hydrogen and nitrogen, are known to occupy lattice cavities multiple times. This phenomenon has a significant impact on hydrate stability and thermodynamic properties of the hydrate phase. The objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive overview and required correlations for the implementation of a computationally sufficient cluster model that considers up to five guest molecules per cavity. Two methodologies for cluster size estimation are evaluated by existing nitrogen hydrate models showing accurate results for phase equilibria calculations. Furthermore, a preliminary hydrogen hydrate model is introduced and compared with the results of other theoretical studies, indicating that double occupancy of small sII cavities is improbable and four-molecule clusters are predominant in large sII cavities for pressures above 300 MPa. This work lays the foundation for further exploration and optimization of hydrate-based technologies for small guest molecules, e.g., storage and transportation, emphasizing their role in the future landscape of sustainable energy solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for functional nanodevices in sustainable energy applications necessitates the development of innovative approaches. In this study, we present the fabrication and characterization of three-dimensional (3D) structures coated with titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanorods (NRs). These novel devices are created through the integration of four distinct techniques, multi-photon lithography, post-thermal treatment, pulsed laser deposition, and an aqueous chemical growth, enabling their unique properties and functionalities in photocatalysis. The photocatalytic performance of the 3D devices is evaluated through the degradation of organic pollutants, such as methylene blue and stearic acid, showcasing their efficiency in reducing pollutant concentrations. The devices demonstrate a remarkable decomposition coefficient (k = 0.059 min − 1 ), highlighting their enhanced photocatalytic efficiency. Additionally, we propose a rapid fabrication technique using 3D holographic printing to create large-area TiO 2 -coated micro-structured photocatalytic devices at the mesoscale regime. This approach increases the active surface area, further enhancing the devices' photocatalytic capabilities. By combining additive micro-manufacturing, TiO 2 NR coating, and holographic printing, our work introduces a promising avenue for the development of advanced nanodevices with superior photocatalytic performance in sustainable energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harnessing the boundless solar energy, photovoltaic cells emerge as pivotal players in the world's sustainable energy landscape. The efficiency of solar cells is intimately tied to the carrier properties influenced by defects and impurities within the sunlight-absorbing semiconductors. In this Perspective, we offer a brief overview of recent advances in exploring doping properties with a focus on three vital thin-film photovoltaic semiconductors: CdTe, CIGS, and halide perovskites. Our discourse encompasses their electronic band structure, intrinsic and extrinsic doping behaviors, defect-assisted nonradiative recombination losses, as well as promising strategies poised to enhance solar cell efficiency. Additionally, we discuss several lingering challenges associated with defects in the advancement of photovoltaic technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many experimental and theoretical studies on CH4–CO2 hydrates have been performed aiming at the extraction of CH4 as a relatively clean energy resource and concurrent sequestration of CO2. However, vague or insufficient characterization of the environmental conditions prevents us from a comprehensive understanding of even equilibrium properties of CH4–CO2 hydrates for this substitution. We propose possible reaction schemes for the substitution, paying special attention to the coexisting phases, the aqueous and/or the fluid, where CO2 is supplied from and CH4 is transferred to. We address the two schemes for the substitution operating in three-phase and two-phase coexistence. Advantages and efficiencies of extracting CH4 in the individual scheme are estimated from the chemical potentials of all the components in all the phases involved in the substitution on the basis of a statistical mechanical theory developed recently. It is found that although substitution is feasible in the three-phase coexistence, its working window in temperature–pressure space is much narrower compared to the two-phase coexistence condition. Despite that the substitution normally generates only a small amount of heat, a large endothermic substitution is suggested in the medium pressure range, caused by the vaporization of liquid CO2 due to mixing with a small amount of the released CH4. This study provides the first theoretical framework toward the practical use of hydrates replacing CH4 with CO2 and serves as a basis for quantitative planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) by splitting water is a key technology toward a clean energy society, where Pt-based catalysts were long known to have the highest activity under acidic electrochemical conditions but suffer from high cost and poor stability. Here, we overview the current status of Pt-catalyzed HER from a theoretical perspective, focusing on the methodology development of electrochemistry simulation, catalytic mechanism, and catalyst stability. Recent developments in theoretical methods for studying electrochemistry are introduced, elaborating on how they describe solid–liquid interface reactions under electrochemical potentials. The HER mechanism, the reaction kinetics, and the reaction sites on Pt are then summarized, which provides an atomic-level picture of Pt catalyst surface dynamics under reaction conditions. Finally, state-of-the-art experimental solutions to improve catalyst stability are also introduced, which illustrates the significance of fundamental understandings in the new catalyst design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In research out of the sustainable electrochemical energy storage material, NiCo-LDH/MnO 2 composite has been prepared via simple hydrothermal method. The experimental characterizations of XRD, SEM/TEM and XPS have been utilized to explore the structure and morphology of prepared composite. The needle-like MnO 2 was found adhered to NiCo-LDH sheet. The composite's electrochemical properties were evaluated through cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It has been realized that the MnO 2 dosage not only changes the composite's microstructure but also affects its electrochemical properties. The best specific capacitance (2602 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1) was achieved for the composite sample with 38% MnO 2 (mass), which is almost two times high from the same composite in previous reports. With the sample, the assembled asymmetric supercapacitor exhibits a remarkable energy density of 19.56 Wh.Kg−1 at 800.29 W Kg−1. It could be attributed to the synergetic effects of two components as well as their good interfacial coupling. The good electrochemical activity makes our synthesized composite feasible to be applied as electrode material and provides valuable insights for the development of smart capacitors utilizing NiCo-LDH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By a two-step method, we successfully synthesized a WS 2 /WO 3-x heterostructured catalysts with abundant oxygen vacancies. The WS 2 /WO 3-x -2 heterostructured catalyst demonstrates outstanding HER activity and stability in acidic and alkaline electrolytes. [Display omitted] H 2 produced through hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a shining star in the field of clean energy. Significant efforts have been dedicated to develop efficient and stable electrocatalysts to reduce the energy barrier and accelerate the kinetics of Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under various environments. Herein, we propose a strategy to accelerate the kinetics of HER under acid and alkaline environments by combining heterostructure engineering with defect engineering. We have successfully synthesized a series of WS 2 /WO 3-x heterostructured catalysts, accompanied with substantial oxygen vacancies using a two-step synthesis method. With the partially sulfurization of WO 3-x , the heterojunction interface of WS 2 and WO 3-x was formed along with the appearance of oxygen vacancies, which can facilitate the migration of electrons. The heterostructured catalyst enriched with oxygen vacancies (defined as WS 2 /WO 3-x -2) demonstrates superior HER performance in acidic and alkaline electrolytes. At a current density of 10 mA cm−2, the WS 2 /WO 3-x -2 heterostructured catalyst manifests an overpotential of 120 mV in the acidic electrolytes and a slightly higher overpotential of 150 mV in an alkaline environment. The overpotentials offer an improvement compared to reported W-based catalysts in terms of HER performance. This work provides guiding significance on the design of heterostructured catalysts with promising performance for HER in acidic and alkaline environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, magnesium Selenide (MgSe) thin films were synthesized on glass substrate using the chemical bath deposition (CBD) method for thermoelectric power generation. After cleaning of glass substrate, selenium powder was dissolved in nitric acid to produce SeO 2 and magnesium chloride was then introduced as the source of magnesium. Both SeO 2 and MgCl 2 were dissolved in 100 ml of dI water and later, these solutions were unified gradually. After that, the cleaned glass substrates were placed in the solution, while keeping the reaction temperature constant at 50o C for the deposition durations of 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. A number of characterization techniques, namely X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were performed for structural and surface analysis of grown thin films. The effect of deposition time duration on the thermoelectric properties was investigated in depth using the Seebeck and Hall systems. It was found that the values of the Seebeck coefficient and power factor obey the increasing trend with maximum values 196.93 μV/K and 21.5 × 10−8 W/mK2 respectively. These observed values are seems to be the highest values for magnesium selenide thin film ever reported in the literature according to the best of our knowledge. Therefore, we have concluded that MgSe thin films supposed to be emerging material for thermoelectric power generation applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study focuses on disclosing the mechanisms standing behind the improved photocatalytic performance of SrTiO 3 , where Al modification of the perovskite structure boosts the photocatalytic O 2 evolution activity of the Al:SrTiO 3 system. By adapting the synthesis method that produces well-crystallized materials with low defect density and employing surface modification techniques, we aim to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency of SrTiO 3 via Al 2 O 3 nanoceramic oxide doping at concentrations ranging from 0 to 10% and further examining of the relationship between doping process and the changes in the electronic and crystalline structure of SrTiO 3. The prepared Al-based SrTiO 3 perovskite samples (Al 3% :SrTiO 3 , Al 7% :SrTiO 3 , Al 10% :SrTiO 3) were thoroughly characterized to understand their structural, electronic, and morphological properties. Complementary X-ray techniques were employed to assess the stoichiometry (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy - XPS), local environment, and chemical state (X-ray absorption spectroscopy - XAS in both total electron yield (TEY) and fluorescence yield (TFY). The comprehensive characterization enables us to understand the changes in the electronic properties and morphological features of the modified samples elucidating the surface formation mechanism while providing insights into the structural modifications induced by Al doping in the SrTiO 3 perovskite lattice. Our findings give new perspectives for the development of Al-modified SrTiO 3 perovskite materials with enhanced photocatalytic performance providing rich insights into the optimization of photocatalytic processes for applications in environmental remediation and sustainable energy production. Synopsis: This study demonstrates that the introduction of aluminum into SrTiO 3 perovskite materials enhances their photocatalytic performance, leading to significant improvements in O 2 evolution reaction, up to 201 μmolL-1g-1h-1 for Al 10% :SrTiO 3 with potential applications sustainable energy production. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the search for alternative energy and chemical sources in response to the depletion of fossil resources. It focuses on the synthesis of furanic diols from biomass feedstocks using a zinc/bismuth-mediated allylation reaction. The authors propose a user-friendly, inexpensive, and high-yielding green method for the synthesis of biobased diols. The article provides experimental results, optimization of reaction conditions, and a protocol for the synthesis of various allyl-substituted diols. It also includes chemical data and synthesis procedures for various compounds. The document concludes with an acknowledgment and dedication to Prof. Dennis Curran. [Extracted from the article]

Ensuring access to modern energy for all is a fundamental aim of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7). Whereas education is often considered important in supporting the energy transition, there is limited empirical evidence to confirm this causal relationship. Using microdata from the 2010 census, this study investigates the causal impact of education on the adoption of clean cooking fuels in rural China. To address the challenge of endogeneity, an instrumental variable (IV) approach was adopted, based on the enactment of compulsory schooling laws (CSLs) in China. Individuals' educational choices are driven by their exposure to these CSLs, which vary across cohorts and provincial regions. The results show that an additional year of schooling significantly reduces biomass use by 6.1% and increases the adoption of clean fuels by 5.9%. The positive impact of education is more pronounced in less developed regions. These findings suggest that strengthening education can be a crucial policy tool for mitigating air pollution, particularly in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluate the conditions and consequences of union strategies in three industrial transitions in California, all driven by its globally influential climate policies: in construction (solar power plants), electricity (nuclear power retirement), and manufacturing (electric vehicles). Building on recent, global frameworks in environmental labor studies, we grow the field's attention towards unions with workers transitioning between 'sunset' industries like fossil energy and 'sunrise' sectors like clean energy. Using original ethnographic and archival data, we analyze the conditions that shaped union strategies in transitions, and how these in turn impacted union power and coalitions. We argue that union strategies embraced climate transitions when they organized leverage to define a shift on their members' terms, independently from employers, often by turning environmental regulation to the advantage of labor and its allies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the pursuit of sustainable energy technologies, the development of efficient electrocatalysts for water splitting and energy storage systems is of paramount importance. Bifunctional electrocatalysts are extremely desirable for efficient overall water splitting, but that remains a challenge. This study presents the solvothermal synthesis of potassium niobium tungstate K2Nb10W7O47 nanoparticles, a novel material with remarkable electrocatalytic water splitting and supercapacitance properties. Through a systematic investigation, we reveal the influence of synthesis parameters on the nanoparticle's morphology and crystal structure, emphasizing the tailoring of electrocatalytic activity. The Quaternary K2Nb10W7O47 electrocatalysts exhibit the lowest onset potential of 1.47 V and overpotential of 120 mV in 1 M KOH solution to obtain a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and superior HER performance delivering merely -0.16 E Vs RHE at 10 mA cm−2. It also exhibited good supercapacitor performance with a specific capacitance of 2427.0656 F/g and energy density of 41.235 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 4.3768 W kg−1. Thus, the as synthesized K2Nb10W7O47 nanoparticles exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance, with low overpotential and high catalytic activity for both hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions. Furthermore, their supercapacitance behavior is investigated, demonstrating promising energy storage capabilities. This work contributes to the growing field of advanced materials for clean energy applications, showcasing the potential of K2Nb10W7O47nanoparticles as a versatile and efficient electrocatalyst and super-capacitive material. Graphical abstract of synthesized K2Nb1A0W7O47 Nano-catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For large-scale constructed wind farms, reducing wake loss and improving the overall output power are the main objectives for their optimal operation. Therefore, a wind farm power maximization method based on a multi-strategy improved sparrow search algorithm (MS-ISSA) is proposed in this paper. Integrating the wake propagation mechanism of wind turbines and the characteristics of the classic Jensen wake model, the Jensen-Gaussian wake model and wake superposition model were constructed to accurately calculate the wind farm wake distribution. The constructed Jensen-Gaussian wake model and wake superposition model can accurately describe the non-uniform distribution characteristics of wake velocity. The Sin chaotic model, Cauchy distribution, and hyperparameter adaptive adjustment strategy were used to improve the sparrow search algorithm (SSA), and the optimization ability, convergence speed, and stability of the SSA were improved. Accordingly, considering the maximum output power of the wind farm as the optimization target and axial induction factor as the optimization variable, a coordinated optimization model for wind turbines based on MS-ISSA was proposed to realize the coordinated optimal operation of wind turbines with reduced wake loss. Considering the Danish Horns Rev wind farm as the research object, the results of optimization using particle swarm optimization algorithm, whale optimization algorithm, basic sparrow search algorithm, and MS-ISSA were calculated and analyzed. The calculation results revealed that under different incoming wind conditions, the MS-ISSA exhibited better optimization results than the other optimization algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar thermal-driven vapor absorption system has proven to be a feasible and viable cooling source. However, most reported installations for milk chilling applications are equipped with an auxiliary heater that consumes significant electricity/gas, making it economically unviable. In this study, the experimental investigation of the performance of a solar-powered vapor absorption chiller has been reported for milk chilling applications as per standard ISO 5708-2 II. It has been identified that the performance of the vapor absorption chiller is quite uncertain and underperforming while operated with the heat directly fed through the evacuated tube compound parabolic concentrator solar field due to diurnal and seasonal variations of solar radiation intensity. Therefore, hot thermal energy storage integration has been studied and analyzed in this study. The performance of the vapor absorption chiller has improved significantly with the use of hot thermal energy storage in the solar circuit as the coefficient of performance (COP) of the vapor absorption chiller improved up to 0.4, which was earlier around 0.25. Further, hot thermal energy storage provides better thermal management to increase the productivity and performance of the vapor absorption chiller, and the cooling time for the first milking is 2 h and 45 min. The performance of the vapor absorption chiller enhanced further up to 0.52 when supplied heat entirely with thermal energy storage. The energy efficiency ratio has a maximum value of 6.1, with an average of 4.3, whereas the thermal COP has an average of 0.35 and a maximum value of 0.52 when run with thermal energy storage alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moving packed-bed heat exchangers in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants involves heat transfer between heated falling particles and supercritical carbon dioxide. The overall effective thermal conductivity of the moving packed bed and particle-side channel contact resistances are still the bottlenecks in achieving the desirable thermal transport levels. To this end, a novel moving packed bed heat exchanger consisting of an Octet lattice packed between the walls of the particle-side channel is proposed in this study. Granular flow analysis in Octet lattice moving packed bed heat exchanger (OLHX) was conducted through experiments and discrete element method (DEM)-based numerical simulations. The experimental images clearly demonstrated stagnation regions upstream of lattice fibers, void regions downstream of the fiber junctions, and wavy-type unobstructed flow on the lateral sides of the fibers. DEM simulations were successful in capturing all these critical flow phenomena. Larger flow velocities were observed on the lateral sides of the fibers in the simulations. Also, when the particles in the silo were emptied, the final images showed an accumulation of particles on the inter-fiber as well as fiber-channel wall junctions. Moreover, the fiber connections resulted in some regions devoid of particle contact on the channel endwall, which means that these regions would suffer from poor thermal exchange. The overall mass flowrate increased with increasing porosity for a fixed particle diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes the Hybrid desalination and power generation through parabolic trough collectors. This study aims to examine the feasibility, performance optimization, and economic viability of power-generation plant and hybrid-desalination using multi-stage flash (MSF) and reverse osmosis (RO) technologies assessed by using the parabolic trough collectors (PTC). The objective is to discover the posibilities of this innovative approach in addressing water scarcity and clean energy demands. The studies usually focus on several key aspects. Firstly, it resolves the technical feasibility of integrating MSF and RO technologies with parabolic-trough-collectors to optimize energy efficiency and freshwater production. This involves evaluating the system design, heat transfer mechanisms, and operational parameters.Secondly, performance optimization is a key area of investigation. By optimizing these parameters the aim is to maximize freshwater production while minimizing energy consumption. Thirdly, the economic viability of the hybrid plant will be assessed. This involves considering capital investment, conducting a comprehensive cost analysis, maintenance costs, and operational expenses. The study also evaluates the potential for revenue generation through the sale of excess electricity produced by the system. The potential outcomes of this research include demonstrating the technical-feasibility as well as economic-viability of the hybrid desalination and power generation plant. The findings may indicate that this approach can effectively address water scarcity challenges while contributing to clean energy production. The study may also highlight the environmental benefits of integrating renewable energy sources (RESs) and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional desalination methods.The proposed method is executed in MATLAB platform and compared to various existing approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clean energy captured by offshore wind turbines has been widely used for supporting onshore activities. In the near future, facilities such as offshore wind turbines can also play an important role in the energy transition of offshore activities. Offshore wind energy can be employed for electrifying operations in offshore fish farms, which are traditionally supplied by diesel-engine barges/generators. Based on this motivation, this study focuses on the design of a shared mooring system between a semi-submersible offshore fish cage and a spar-type floating wind turbine. A numerical model of the proposed shared mooring system is implemented in a global response analysis software SIMA for performing fully coupled time-domain simulations. The configuration of the shared mooring line is determined using an engineering approach, which comprises Irvine's formulation, system eigenvalue analysis, and cost estimation. Moreover, relevant case studies by altering the environmental conditions are performed. Extreme operational conditions that may give large relative motions are investigated thoroughly. The dynamic performance of the integrated system is compared with that of individual structures. The global motion of the floating wind turbine and its mooring line's tension behavior are obviously influenced by the existence of the shared line. In general, the present work investigates the feasibility of a shared mooring system for these types of offshore structures and further gives insights into the engineering design procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential deployment of microreactors as a zero-emission source for critical applications within integrated energy systems such as microgrids has been gaining interest in recent years owing to the microreactors' dispatchable nature, modular design, small site footprint, and carbon-free generation. A particularly high-value but challenging application with rapidly growing demand is in the deployment of high-performance computing (HPC) clusters within microgrids. In this work, a model of a HPC cluster in an energy-diverse microgrid is developed to determine the requirements of a technology-agnostic microreactor deployed for such a challenging application. The minute-resolution simulations revealed that the cluster's electrical load fluctuation of up to 4.1 MW/min required a fast and responsive load-following capability. When the load-following capability of the microreactor was perturbed, the required microgrid storage capacity associated with having a 0.1 MW/min dispatchable microreactor decreased by two orders of magnitude as compared with load-following solely by energy storage devices, indicating that load-following capability in microreactors is of great value in such applications. The analysis methods described in this work can be extended to other microgrids, other HPC clusters, or other types of challenging applications, and can help microgrid planners in determining the storage size, output capacity, and ramping capabilities of the storage devices required for a given microgrid configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are lipid-rich microscopic eukaryotic algae that can be used aiming for more sustainable biodiesel production by employing environmentally sound processes. The present work evaluates biodiesel production using a biocatalyst and two microalgae species as oil feedstock (Chlorella vulgaris and Aurantiochytrium sp.). Lipid extraction was performed using different techniques, namely, Soxhlet extractions (8 h — both species) with different solvents (hexane; hexane:ethanol (1:1 v/v); and chloroform) and room temperature hexane extraction (72 h — Aurantiochytrium sp.). Transesterification occurred for 24 h (150 rpm), using 30 % lipase loading. The results showed that high extraction temperatures cause microalgae oil degradation, focused on unsaturated fatty acids, leading to a lower biodiesel conversion yield. Using Aurantiochytrium sp. oil, it was possible to obtain around 55 %wt. of biodiesel conversion yield using oil extracted at room temperature (6:1 methanol:oil molar ratio), whereas for the oil extracted in the Soxhlet apparatus, the biodiesel conversion yield was around 30 %wt.. The low lipid content (1.0 %wt.) and biodiesel conversion yield (up to 25 %wt.) obtained using C. vulgaris show that the biomass used in the current study has low potential for biodiesel production. However, enzymatic biodiesel production from microalgae represents a promising avenue for sustainable energy generation, offering a renewable and environmentally responsible solution to the world's energy needs. For that purpose, further studies, such as the optimisation of the extraction and transesterification of Aurantiochytrium sp. oil, should be carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and use of renewable energy resources is a crucial solution for a sustainable energy strategy to decrease the dependence on fossil fuels. Lignocellulosic ethanol has gained recognition as a renewable energy resource vital for sustainable development. Currently, the research and industry sectors utilize a single type of lignocellulose biomass for ethanol production. However, this biomass dependency is a potential risk due to the global warming effect on biomass plantations. This study assessed the versatility of rice straw (RS), Napier grass (NG), and sugarcane bagasse (SB) as a mixed biomass for bioethanol production. The mixture of equal proportion of RS, NG, and SB in a 1:1:1 ratio produced higher concentration of bioethanol than individual biomasses. NaOH-pretreated samples were more effective than H2SO4 pretreated and untreated samples in bioethanol production. The NaOH-pretreated mixed sample yielded maximum bioethanol of 0.82% (v/v). About 0.43 g/g and 0.12 g/g of reducing sugars and ethanol, respectively, could be produced using RS, NG, and SB in the ratio of 1:1:1. This research indicates that different biomass types can replace one another in the event of limited resources, thus reducing the dependency on a particular biomass type for biorefinery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Wikki Warm Spring is one of the promising locations for the development of geothermal projects in Nigeria. Radiometric and remote sensing data were interpreted to enhance the understanding of the factors controlling the geothermal energy sources in the Wikki Warm Spring. Thus, mapping locations of concealed heat sources offer concentration areas for follow-up geothermal exploration. Landsat-8 imagery was used to produce the land surface temperature (LST) map, which reveals surface temperature variation that ranges from 50 to 95 °C. In comparison, the radiogenic heat map of the region generated from the radiometric data of the study area shows radiogenic heat production rate, which ranged from less than 0.69 to above 3.91 µWm−3. The radiogenic heat and LST maps show similar features, indicating that Basement Complex terrain exhibits high radiogenic and surface temperature than the Benue Trough. Monte Carlo simulation reveals statistical values that suggest that the most likely radiogenic heat value is 1.95 µWm−3 around the warm spring, the highest possible (best case scenario) heat value is 2.23 µWm−3, and the least possible value (worst case scenario) is 1.69 µWm−3. The Basement Complex terrain northwest of the warm spring produced high radiogenic heat, generating values above 3.91 μWm−3. The outcome of this investigation is very important for explorationists to institute sustainable geothermal energy mitigation plans and produce a clean and renewable energy in Wikki Warm Spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global expansion of the bioenergy industry raises concerns, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation and sustainable management. To facilitate this, life cycle assessments beyond greenhouse gas emissions and energy balance are essential, along with the standardization of assessment methodologies to enable meaningful comparisons. Here, we review life cycle assessment, chemical aspects, and policy implication of bioenergy production. We discuss life cycle assessment in terms of concepts, methods, impacts, greenhouse gases, land use, water consumption, bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas, and techno-economic analysis. Chemical aspects comprise reaction processes and means to improve efficiency. Concerning policies, tools, and frameworks that encourage sustainable energy production are presented. We found that carbon dioxide removal ranges from 45 to 99% in various bioenergy processes. The review also emphasizes the importance of chemistry in advancing sustainable bioenergy production for a more sustainable and secure energy future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the feasibility of utilizing lead-free multilayer piezo stacks, particularly focusing on Zr-doped 0.95(Bi 0. 5 Na 0.5)TiO 3 -0.05(BaTiO 3) piezoceramics, for energy harvesting. Various lead-free BNT-BT disk samples with different Zr concentrations undergo structural, microstructural, and electrical characterizations. The results illustrate that Zr-doping improves piezoelectric constitutive parameters, notably at a 2.0 mol% concentration. Electromechanical tests were conducted on multilayer piezo stacks, involving variations in electric load, mechanical load, frequency, and number of stacked disks. These tests demonstrate the ability of the multilayer transducer to produce up to 1.5 V (peak) under particular conditions: a 250 Hz frequency, a 10 N mechanical load, and an open circuit electric load, utilizing a stack comprising 5 disks. Employing an analytical mathematical model, an effective d 33 e f f of the system is determined, yielding values ranging from 588 to 625 pC/N for a stack composed of 5 disks. These findings highlight the considerable potential of lead-free multilayer piezo stacks in energy harvesting applications, offering crucial insights for the development of sustainable and eco-friendly energy solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to irreparable crises for nature and people, replacing fossil fuel-based energy with green energy sources is a necessity for nature and humanity. Hydrogen is considered a clean energy transport due to its high energy density, environmental friendliness, high efficiency, and recyclable nature. This study generated hydrogen through NaBH 4 ethanolysis. In hydrogen production studies, there are very few studies with magnetic nano catalysts and very few studies with cheap transition metals. In order to contribute to the literature in this field, in this study, Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe was produced for the first time and used in hydrogen production studies. Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe synthesis was successfully carried out and hydrogen production was successfully implemented. The study also utilized FT-IR, XRD, VSM, BET, and SEM-EDX methods to characterize the structural, physical, and chemical properties of MNCs. The average particle diameter and magnetization value of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe were 12.81 nm and 30.6 emu/g, respectively. The catalysis experiment designed with 50 mg Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe and 93.75 mM NaBH 4 generated 840 mL H 2 /g NaBH 4 298 K and 947 mL H 2 /g NaBH 4 318 K in 5-min duration, respectively. At room temperature, the hydrogen generation rate (HGR) and activation energy (Ea) of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe reaction were calculated as 1040 mL H 2 /gcat·min and 5.39 kJ/mol, respectively. After the sixth cycle, the reusability test of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe reaction still retained approximately 87% of the initial hydrogen production volume. The study concluded that Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe is a promising catalyst in hydrogen production from NaBH 4 ethanolysis, as it is affordable and easy to prepare compared to other expensive catalysts. [Display omitted] • Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe (MNCs) were produced for the first time. • The hydrogen production activity efficiency of MNCs has been found to be excellent. • It was found that the reuse efficiency in hydrogen production activity was 87% higher after 6 cycles of MNCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the extent to which green energy vectoring renewable energy and nuclear energy moderates the effects of natural resource dependence and digitalization on environmental sustainability (measured by carbon emissions per capita and ecological footprint) in selected emerging seven (E7) countries. The study considers the intervening roles of financial development, economic growth, and population growth from 1996 to 2019. The verification of the empirical hypotheses anchors on advanced estimating techniques comprising cross-sectional dependence autoregressive distributed lag and augmented mean group. Results reveal that natural resource dependence and financial development hinder the attainment of environmental sustainability by inducing significant rise in carbon emissions per capita and ecological footprint. Conversely, digitalization promotes the strides toward environmental sustainability by significantly mitigating the surge in both pollutants. The direct and indirect effects of green energy are observed to sufficiently promote environmental sustainability. Moreover, while economic growth in the selected economies displays a significant level of support for sustainability targets, population growth portrays otherwise. Besides, the country-level analyses anchored on Fully Modified OLS show that natural resource dependence significantly hinders sustainability targets in Russia alone. More so, the existence of EKC finds support in Brazil and Mexico. Policy insights emanate from the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study seeks to investigate how natural resources rents impact environmental sustainability measured by CO2 emissions and PM2.5 air pollution in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) economies from 1995 to 2019. To enhance robust policy implications, natural resources are decomposed into disaggregated (coal, gas, oil, forest, and mineral rents) and aggregated (total natural resources rents) indicators. Besides, the intervening roles of affluence, urbanization, and green policies vectoring green technological innovation, green finance, green energy, and waste management within the theoretical underpinning of STIRPAT model are considered. The empirical verification is anchored on second-generation estimators entailing Common Correlated Effects Mean Group, Augmented Mean Group, and Panel Quantile Regression. Similarly, Fully Modified OLS is employed to gauge the country-specific effects amidst varying robustness analyses. The fallouts from the analyses reveal that natural resources rents inhibit the attainments of environmental sustainability in BRICS economies by positively driving CO2 emissions and PM2.5 air pollution. Conversely, green policies are observed to substantially drive environmental sustainability by mitigating both pollutants whereas affluence and urbanization escalate them. The distributional effects from Panel Quantile Regression and Fully Modified OLS corroborate the main findings divergently. Additionally, two channels of causality, including unidirectional and bidirectional nexuses, are apparent from the estimated models. Policy measures are suggested based on the empirical findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve carbon neutrality, the Chinese government needs to gain a comprehensive understanding of the sources and drivers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly at the county level. Anji County in eastern China is a typical example of an industrial transformation from quarrying to a low-carbon economy. This study analyzed the decoupling types and structural characteristics of GHG emissions and the driving factors of carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions in the Anji from 2006 to 2019, and explored the differences between county-level and provincial-level or city-level results. It was observed that energy-related activities are the main source of GHG emissions in Anji and that economic development is the driving factor behind the increasing CO 2 emissions. However, industrial transformation and upgradation coupled with the alternative use of clean energy limit the growth of GHG emissions. This study details the GHG emissions of county during the industrial transformation stage and provides corresponding policy recommendations for county governments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered as the promising candidates for large‐scale energy storage because of their high safety, low cost and environmental benignity. The large‐scale applications of AZIBs will inevitably result in a large amount of spent AZIBs, which not only induce the waste of resources, but also pose environmental risks. Therefore, sustainable AZIBs have to be considered to minimize the risk of environmental pollution and maximize the utilization of spent compounds. Herein, this minireview focuses on the sustainability of AZIBs from material design and recycling techniques. The structure and degradation mechanism of AZIBs are discussed to guide the recycling design of the materials. Subsequently, the sustainability of component materials in AZIBs is further analysed to pre‐evaluate their recycling behaviors and mentor the selection of more sustainable component materials, including active materials in cathodes, Zn anodes, and aqueous electrolytes, respectively. According to the features of component materials, corresponding green and economic approaches are further proposed to realize the recycling of active materials in cathodes, Zn anodes and electrolytes, respectively. These advanced technologies endow the recycling of component materials with high efficiency and a closed‐loop control, ensuring that AZIBs will be the promising candidates of sustainable energy storage devices. This review will offer insight into potential future directions in the design of sustainable AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating solar energy into rechargeable battery systems represents a significant advancement towards sustainable energy storage solutions. Herein, we propose a win‐win solution to reduce the shuttle effect of polysulfide and improve the photocorrosion stability of CdS, thereby enhancing the energy conversion efficiency of rGO/CdS‐based photorechargeable integrated lithium‐sulfur batteries (PRLSBs). Experimental results show that CdS can effectively anchor polysulfide under sunlight irradiation for 20 minutes. Under a high current density (1 C), the discharge‐specific capacity of the PRLSBs increased to 971.30 mAh g−1, which is 113.3 % enhancement compared to that of under dark condition (857.49 mAh g−1). Remarkably, without an electrical power supply, the PRLSBs can maintain a 21 hours discharge process following merely 1.5 hours of light irradiation, achieving a breakthrough solar‐to‐electrical energy conversion efficiency of up to 5.04 %. Ex situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and in situ Raman analysis corroborate the effectiveness of this complementary weakness approach in bolstering redox kinetics and curtailing polysulfide dissolution in PRLSBs. This work showcases a feasible strategy to develop PRLSBs with potential dual‐functional metal sulfide photoelectrodes, which will be of great interest in future‐oriented off‐grid photocell systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable Zn‐air batteries (ZAB) represent a promising avenue for sustainable energy storage, boasting high energy density, cost‐effectiveness, scalability, and environmental friendliness. However, the sluggish redox kinetics and limited cycle life of bifunctional oxygen evolution/reduction (OER/ORR) electrocatalysts impede the further practical development of ZABs. In this study, homogenic boundary effect within α/β‐NiMoO4 is introduced as a superior electrocatalyst for ZAB. Through in situ poikilothermic X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and theoretical investigations, the active Ni atoms exhibit more effective electron transfer at α/β‐NiMoO4 due to the homogenic boundary effect is unveiled. Furthermore, the presence of oxygen vacancies and lattice distortions at these boundaries significantly reduces the thermodynamic barrier of OER to a mere 0.46 V. Consequently, α/β‐NiMoO4 demonstrates a remarkably low overpotential of 270 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for the bottlenecked OER, along with prolonged durability (150 h) and a high specific capacity (745 mAh g−1 at 5 mA cm−2) for ZAB. This study underscores the efficacy of homogenic boundary effects in enhancing electrocatalytic activities, offering great promise for the advancement of sustainable energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) reflect a strategic move for scalable and sustainable energy storage. The focus on high‐entropy (HE) cathode materials, particularly layered oxides, has ignited scientific interest due to the unique characteristics and effects to tackle their shortcomings, such as inferior structural stability, sluggish reaction kinetics, severe Jahn‐Teller effects induced lattice distortion, and poor oxygen reversibility at high voltage. This review focuses on high‐entropy oxide materials, highlighting their fundamentals, design principles, and application in layered oxide cathodes for SIBs. It delves into the growth mechanism, composition‐properties correlations, and the functional roles of high‐entropy design in enhancing the performance of layered oxide cathodes. Furthermore, it furnishes a comprehensive survey of recent advancements and persisting challenges within the domain of layered high‐entropy cathode materials, as well as offers insights into potential future research directions in line with the current state of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a contents list for the journal Chemical Society Reviews. It provides a list of articles and their authors that are included in the issue. The articles cover a range of topics in chemistry, including degrader synthesis, main-group chemistry, batteries for energy storage, protein misfolding, and electroreduction of CO2. The journal aims to connect the world with the chemical sciences and reinvests its profits back into the chemistry community. [Extracted from the article]

Batteries play a pivotal role in various electrochemical energy storage systems, functioning as essential components to enhance energy utilization efficiency and expedite the realization of energy and environmental sustainability. Zn-based batteries have attracted increasing attention as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries owing to their cost effectiveness, enhanced intrinsic safety, and favorable electrochemical performance. In this context, substantial endeavors have been dedicated to crafting and advancing high-performance Zn-based batteries. However, some challenges, including limited discharging capacity, low operating voltage, low energy density, short cycle life, and complicated energy storage mechanism, need to be addressed in order to render large-scale practical applications. In this review, we comprehensively present recent advances in designing high-performance Zn-based batteries and in elucidating energy storage mechanisms. First, various redox mechanisms in Zn-based batteries are systematically summarized, including insertion-type, conversion-type, coordination-type, and catalysis-type mechanisms. Subsequently, the design strategies aiming at enhancing the electrochemical performance of Zn-based batteries are underscored, focusing on several aspects, including output voltage, capacity, energy density, and cycle life. Finally, challenges and future prospects of Zn-based batteries are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of new functional materials is crucial for addressing global challenges such as clean energy or the discovery of new drugs and antibiotics. Functional material systems are typically composed of functional molecular building blocks, organized across multiple length scales in a hierarchical order. The large design space allows for precise tuning of properties to specific applications, but also makes it time‐consuming and expensive to screen for optimal structures using traditional experimental methods. Machine learning (ML) models can potentially revolutionize the field of materials science by predicting chemical syntheses and materials properties with high accuracy. However, ML models require data to be trained and validated. Methods to automatically extract data from scientific literature make it possible to build large and diverse datasets for ML models. In this article, opportunities and challenges of data extraction and machine learning methods are discussed to accelerate the discovery of high‐performing functional material systems, while ensuring that the predicted materials are stable, synthesizable, scalable, and sustainable. The potential impact of large language models (LLMs) on the data extraction process are discussed. Additionally, the importance of research data management tools is discussed to overcome the intrinsic limitations of data extraction approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) methane (CH 4) reforming (H 2 SMR) is a promising process for sustainable energy production from conventional fuels, offering triple benefits for generating clean hydrogen (H 2), consuming toxic H 2 S, and producing an economically valuable by-product carbon disulfide (CS 2). In this work, we studied the optimal operating conditions and assessed the economic feasibility of the non-catalytic H 2 SMR process, employing a combination of kinetic modeling, process modeling, and techno-economic analysis. Plug flow reactor simulations were performed with our newly developed mechanism to shed light on the optimal operating conditions. It was concluded that a H 2 S/CH 4 molar feed ratio of 2 results in the highest hydrogen production rate, and a feed ratio of 1–2 and a temperature of 1100–1300 °C are needed to maximize the CS 2 production rate. However, feed ratios higher than 2 increase the conversion rate of CH 4 and therefore benefit the purity of the H 2 product. Comparing the cases for a feed ratio of 2 at 1300 °C and a feed ratio of 9 at 1200 °C, the cost is significantly higher for the feed ratio of 9, mainly attributed to the higher electricity cost for higher inlet flow rate and H 2 S recycling, as well as the cost for the additional steam required during the preheating process. The cost of hydrogen production by H 2 SMR process could be as low as $1.47/kgH 2 for a feed ratio of 2 and solar PV as an energy source, which is more competitive than a cost of $1.97/kgH 2 for the steam methane reforming process. Furthermore, since CS 2 is a valuable by-product, the higher amount of CS 2 formed at a feed ratio of 2 becomes the main source of revenue, which completely covers the cost of hydrogen production. This study demonstrates the huge potential of H 2 SMR process as a clean and economic-competitive way to produce hydrogen. • Studied H 2 SMR process using kinetic, process modeling, and techno-economic analysis. • Discussed optimal operating conditions for maximizing H 2 and CS 2 yields. • Conducted sensitivity analysis of power source and feed ratio on H 2 production cost. • Concluded that CS 2 yield in H 2 SMR could cover the cost of H 2 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen, as a clean and versatile energy carrier, plays a pivotal role in addressing global energy challenges and transitioning towards sustainable energy systems. This study explores the convergence of machine learning (ML) for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from sucrose solution using perovskite-type catalysts, namely LaFeO 3 (LFO) and graphene-supported LaFeO 3 (GLFO). This study pioneers the practical application of ML techniques, including Random Forests, LightGBM, and Bagging Regressor, to predict hydrogen yields in the presence of these photocatalysts. LFO and GLFO underwent a thorough characterization study to validate their successful preparation. Noteworthy, the highest hydrogen yield from the sucrose model solution was achieved using GLFO as 3.52 mmol/g cat. The optimum reaction conditions were experimentally found to be pH = 5.25, 0.15 g/L of catalyst amount, and 7.5 mM of HPC (hydrogen peroxide concentration). A pivotal contribution of this research lies in the practical application of ML models, culminating in the development of an ensemble model. This collaborative approach not only achieved an overall R2 of 0.92 but also demonstrated exceptional precision, as reflected in remarkably low error metrics. The mean squared logarithmic error (MSLE) was 0.0032, and the mean absolute error (MAE) was 0.049, underscoring the effectiveness of integrating diverse ML algorithms. This study advances both the understanding of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and the practical implementation of ML in predicting intricate chemical reactions. [Display omitted] • Hydrogen, a clean energy carrier, tackles global challenges. • ML can predict hydrogen amounts evolved from sucrose solution. • GLFO achieves highest hydrogen yield at 3.52 mmol/gcat. • Ensemble of RF, LightGBM, and Bagging Regressor yields high accuracy with minimal errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photothermal catalysis, as a green and sustainable technology, has attracted increasing attention in the fields of clean energy and green organic synthesis. Integrating photothermal catalysis with solar-driven hydrogen production and organic synthetic chemistry has become a promising strategy for sustainable energy generation with great research and practical value. In this review, we present an overview of the background of solar-driven photothermal catalytic reactions, introduce the fundamental principles of photocatalysis, thermal catalysis, and photothermal reduction of hydrogen coupled with selective oxidation of organic compounds, and summarize the recent advances in photothermal semiconductor catalysts such as carbon-based materials, titanium-based materials, noble metal composites, and metal sulfides. We also highlight the recent advances in the application of these catalysts in photothermal catalytic water splitting for hydrogen generation and selective oxidation of organic compounds. Finally, we address the challenges and opportunities faced by solar-drive photothermal catalysts in the synergism of photocatalytic hydrogen production and selective oxidation of organic compounds. The aim is to provide guiding insights for the rational design of this dual-function catalytic system, offering a green pathway for the development of clean energy and selective oxidation in organic synthesis. • Introduced the transition from photocatalysis and thermal catalysis to photothermal catalysis. • Discussed development and applications of carbon-, titanium-, noble metal-, and metal sulfide photothermal materials. • Explored prospects for dual-functional reaction systems for photothermal water splitting and organic conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]