Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy最新文献

{"title":"Coffee extract and pomegranate juice: sustainable green media for gold catalyst synthesis and their performance evaluation as anodes in blood paper-based microfluidic fuel cells","authors":"U. Mariscal-Pedraza,&nbsp;A. Dector-Espinoza,&nbsp;J. C. Martínez-Espinosa,&nbsp;J. M. Olivares-Ramírez,&nbsp;R. Carrera-Cerritos","doi":"10.1007/s40243-025-00345-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-025-00345-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study presents the green synthesis of suspended gold nanoparticles utilizing pomegranate juice and coffee extract, followed by the preparation of catalysts consisting of gold nanoparticles supported on vulcanized carbon (Au/XC72R). These catalysts were evaluated as anodes in paper-based microfluidic fuel cells fueled by glucose and human blood. Material characterization was performed using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The anode performance was assessed through measurements of maximum current density (MCD), open-circuit potential (OCP), and maximum power density (MPD). Additionally, the effect of heat treatment on cell performance was examined. Statistical analysis showed that, in the synthesis using coffee extract, temperature was the only significant factor affecting nanoparticle size, while synthesis time was the main factor for the pomegranate juice synthesis. The untreated Au/XC72R catalysts synthesized from both extracts exhibited superior electrocatalytic performance in microfluidic fuel cells operated with glucose and human blood. The highest OCP, MPD, and MCD values for the untreated catalysts were obtained with a 10 mM glucose solution. This was attributed to the presence of fine surface protrusions on the gold nanoparticles, which were partially lost upon heating and the increment of particle size. Overall, the results demonstrated that the green synthesis route employing pomegranate juice and coffee extract is effective and has potential for further optimization.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-025-00345-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147441414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Facile synthesis of Tin oxide@2D graphene nanocomposites for enhanced LIB anode materials","authors":"Aliaa Abdelfatah,&nbsp;Ahmed M. Selim,&nbsp;Fatma M. Ahmed,&nbsp;Abd Elhamid M. Abd Elhamid,&nbsp;Y. Reda,&nbsp;R. Abdel-Karim,&nbsp;S. M. El-Raghy,&nbsp;Lamiaa Z. Mohamed","doi":"10.1007/s40243-025-00340-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-025-00340-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Nanostructured tin oxide (SnO₂) clusters were synthesized through a simple chemical–thermal route and subsequently encapsulated in ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) graphene layers to form SnO₂@graphene nanocomposites for lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes. While similar composite designs have been explored, the novelty of this study lies in systematically tailoring the annealing process to optimize the interface between SnO₂ and graphene, thereby enhancing electron transport and structural stability during cycling. Structural and surface analyses were performed using SEM, TEM, EDX, XPS, and XRD. The optimized electrode (SG-5) delivered a high gravimetric capacity of 2268 mAh g⁻¹ at 50 mA g⁻¹, retaining 94% capacity after 30 cycles, and an improved rate performance of 576.4 mAh g⁻¹ at 200 mA g⁻¹. The synergistic effect of graphene wrapping and controlled annealing effectively mitigated SnO₂ volume expansion and ensured stable electrochemical performance. These findings provide a new strategy for engineering SnO₂/graphene interfaces via annealing control, offering practical insights into designing robust next-generation LIB anode materials.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-025-00340-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147363058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Engineering light-harvesting in oxyselenides with perovskite-like motifs: a first-principles exploration of cation substitution effects in X2Mo3SeO12 (X = Cu, Ag, Li) for high-efficiency solar energy conversion","authors":"Mohamed El Bouanounou,&nbsp;Abdelmajid Assila,&nbsp;Nour El Haq El Macouti,&nbsp;El-Kebir Hlil,&nbsp;Yahia Boughaleb,&nbsp;Abdelowahed Hajjaji,&nbsp;Said Laasri","doi":"10.1007/s40243-025-00341-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-025-00341-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In this study, we explored the structural, electronic, optical, and photovoltaic properties of oxyselenide compounds X₂Mo₃SeO₁₂ (X = Cu, Ag, Li) that exhibit perovskite-like motifs, using ab initio calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). The GGA-PBE approximation was used for structural optimisation, while the advanced Meta-GGA RSCAN functional allowed for a more accurate description of the electronic, optical and photovoltaic properties. The crystal structures are stable with a direct band gap in each case. Analysis of the energy bands and density of states (TDOS and PDOS) reveals a good separation between the valence and conduction bands. Optical properties such as dielectric function, absorption coefficient, refractive index, reflectivity, energy loss function, and optical conductivity were calculated to evaluate light absorption potential. Photovoltaic performance was estimated by simulating the external quantum efficiency (EQE), open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), and current–voltage (I–V) characteristics, considering the AM1.5G solar spectrum and a thickness of 600 nm. The results show that Cu₂Mo₃SeO₁₂ is the best-performing compound, with Jsc = 31.34 mA/cm², Voc = 0.97 V, and power P = 30.4 mW/cm², demonstrating its strong potential for next-generation lead-free solar cells.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-025-00341-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147362751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comprehensive optimization of a-Si: H p-i-n structures for enhanced energy harvesting","authors":"Soni Prayogi,&nbsp;A. Muhammad","doi":"10.1007/s40243-025-00342-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-025-00342-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Enhancing the energy conversion efficiency of <i>hydrogenated amorphous silicon</i> (a-Si: H) solar cells remains a key objective in advancing thin-film photovoltaic technology. This study presents a comprehensive numerical optimization of a-Si: H p-i-n solar cells using the OghmaNano simulation platform under standard AM1.5G illumination (100 mW/cm²). The modeling accounts for <i>Shockley–Read–Hall</i> (SRH) recombination, carrier mobility, and field-dependent generation to ensure physical accuracy. The investigation focused on simultaneous optimization of the intrinsic layer thickness (100–600 nm) and bandgap tuning (1.6–1.95 eV) to determine their combined influence on device performance. Results revealed that the trade-off between <i>open-circuit voltage</i> (Voc) and <i>short-circuit current</i> (Jsc) is governed by the balance between enhanced light absorption and increased carrier recombination. An intrinsic layer thickness of 200 nm and bandgap of 1.95 eV yielded the optimal configuration, achieving a simulated efficiency of 11.27%. This value aligns with experimental benchmarks when idealized conditions are considered. The findings confirm that dual-parameter optimization combining geometrical and electronic tuning can substantially improve carrier collection and energy conversion efficiency. Compared with previous studies, the proposed design demonstrates superior performance and provides clear guidelines for the structural engineering of high-efficiency a-Si: H solar cells.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-025-00342-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145847853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recent progress in post-modified biochar-based material for supercapacitor applications: a review","authors":"Ranjeet Kumar Mishra,&nbsp;D. Jaya Prasanna Kumar,&nbsp;Sampath Chinnam,&nbsp;Ravi Sankannavar,&nbsp;Abhishek Sharma,&nbsp;Kaustubha Mohanty","doi":"10.1007/s40243-025-00339-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-025-00339-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The escalating demand for efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions has spotlighted post-modified biochar materials as promising candidates for supercapacitor electrodes due to their high power density, rapid charge/discharge rates, and long-term stability. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in the synthesis, activation, and functionalization of biochar for supercapacitor applications. Various biomass sources, including agricultural and industrial wastes, have been pyrolysed or hydrothermally carbonised and further activated using agents such as KOH, NaOH, ZnCl₂, and H₃PO₄, achieving specific surface areas (SSA) as high as 3577 m²/g and pore volumes up to 2.3 cm³/g. The electrochemical performance is significantly enhanced through heteroatom doping (N, O, S, P) and metal oxide composite formation, leading to specific capacitances ranging from 252 F/g to 550 F/g and energy densities up to 45.69 Wh/kg. Further, surface modification improves wettability and electron transport while mesopore/hierarchical structures facilitate ion diffusion. The nitrogen-doped biochar demonstrated a specific capacitance of 420 F g^− 1 at 1 A g^− 1.m, whereas KOH-activated walnut shell-derived biochar exhibited 3577 m²/g SSA and 81% capacitance retention over 5000 cycles. Also, surface oxidation techniques have improved wettability and charge transfer, leading to excellent long-term cycling stability, with capacitance retention above 95% after 10,000 cycles. Owing to increased attention towards eco-friendly, viable, and scalable energy solutions, this article presents a thorough overview of the advanced techniques to treat biochar as supercapacitors. Challenges such as scalability, performance, and cost-effectiveness are presented, and a discussion of the future outlook for integrating biochar for sustainable energy storage is provided.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-025-00339-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145612999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strategic integration of charge transport layers in novel Sr3AsI3 perovskite solar cells for enhanced photovoltaic performance","authors":"Muhammad Zulqarnain Abbasi,&nbsp;Shayan Tariq Jan,&nbsp;Haseeb Ahmad Khan,&nbsp;Muhammad Sheraz,&nbsp;Anees Ur Rehman,&nbsp;Wajahat Ullah Khan Tareen,&nbsp;Muhammad Abid Saeed,&nbsp;Teong Chee Chuah,&nbsp;Obaid Ur Rehman,&nbsp;Waleed Jan","doi":"10.1007/s40243-025-00337-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-025-00337-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have gained immense interest as next-generation photovoltaics due to their impressive power conversion efficiencies (PCEs), ease of fabrication, and low production costs. Despite their potential, practical implementation is hindered by challenges such as interfacial recombination, suboptimal energy band alignment, and stability issues. This study addresses these challenges by investigating a novel perovskite-derived absorber material, Sr₃AsI₃, in combination with advanced charge transport layers (CTLs) to enhance device performance. Six distinct PSC configurations were systematically analyzed using polyethyleneimine ethoxylated (PEIE) and tungsten disulfide (WS₂) as electron transport layers (ETLs), and copper-based oxides (Cu₂O, SrCu₂O₂) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) as hole transport layers (HTLs). Initial configurations with 300-nm absorbers yielded PCEs in the range of 15.7–24.2%, depending on the CTL combination. A stepwise optimization was conducted by varying absorber thickness, absorber/CTL doping concentrations, and incorporating a reflective back surface. The most significant improvement resulted from increasing absorber thickness to 1200–1250 nm, which enhanced photocurrent collection. Optimized structures with absorber doping concentrations of 1 × 10¹⁷–1 × 10¹⁸ cm⁻³ delivered substantially improved efficiencies. Among all cases, the PEIE/Sr₃AsI₃/Cu₂O and WS₂/Sr₃AsI₃/Cu₂O configurations achieved peak PCEs of 28.52% and 28.50%, with Voc of 0.91 V, Jsc of 35.7 mA/cm², and FF of 87%. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of absorber thickness and controlled doping optimization in Sr₃AsI₃-based PSCs, providing a robust framework for designing stable, high-efficiency perovskite photovoltaics for practical energy applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-025-00337-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145613000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the photovoltaic potential of CsSbCl4 Dion Jacobson Perovskites through first-principle calculations and SCAPS simulations","authors":"Atta Ullah,&nbsp;Ibrar Ahmad,&nbsp;Adnan Sadiq,&nbsp;Muhammad Usman,&nbsp;Haris Haider,&nbsp;Muhammad Afzal,&nbsp;Khizar Hayat,&nbsp;Abdullah Shah,&nbsp;Zahir Shah,&nbsp;Narcisa Vrinceanu,&nbsp;Said Karim Shah","doi":"10.1007/s40243-025-00336-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-025-00336-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This work presents a comprehensive computational investigation of lead (Pb)-free CsSbCl₄ Dion–Jacobson (DJ)-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs), combining density functional theory (DFT) and Solar Cell Capacitance Simulator (SCAPS 1-D) device simulations. The electronic and optical properties of CsSbCl₄ were evaluated using two different exchange–correlation functionals, PBE-GGA and TB-mBJ. Notably, the band structure displays a direct bandgap of 1.395 eV with TB-mBJ, closely aligned with the Shockley–Queisser (SQ) limit, indicating the material’s suitability for high-performance photovoltaics. Projected density of states (PDOS) analysis revealed Sb s-states dominate the valence band (VB), and Sb 5p-states dominate the conduction band (CB), highlighting the central role of antimony in governing electronic transitions, while absorption spans the electromagnetic spectrum from UV to near IR, with a high absorption coefficient around 10⁵ cm⁻¹, ensuring efficient light harvesting. To optimize the solar cell architecture, key parameters were systematically tuned using SCAPS 1-D, including the selection of electron transport layer (ETL) and hole transport layer (HTL), absorber layer (AL) thickness, doping concentration (N_A), and defect density (Nt) were varied to enhance device output. Further, the influence of external conditions like series resistance (Rs), shunt resistance (Rsh), operating temperatures (300–400 K), and solar irradiance on photovoltaic performance was rigorously investigated. After careful optimization, the simulated device achieved a high short-circuit current density (J_SC) of 30.34 mA/cm², an open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of 1.04 V, a fill factor (FF) of 85.17%, and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 26.95%. Altogether, these findings not only underscore the potential of CsSbCl₄ perovskite as a promising non-toxic Pb-free alternative but also provide a viable route toward the realization of high-efficiency next-generation photovoltaics.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-025-00336-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145613003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fabrication of titanium dioxide nanoparticle-doped polymer electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cell modules: self-powered internet of things applications","authors":"K. M. Manikandan,&nbsp;P. Senthamaraikannan,&nbsp;B. Balavairavan,&nbsp;Sheila Mahapatra,&nbsp;Bishwajit Dey","doi":"10.1007/s40243-025-00333-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-025-00333-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This paper explores the integration of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell modules with Internet of Things applications, emphasizing their potential to provide sustainable, self-powered solutions. This research highlights the potential of nano titanium dioxide infused polymer electrolytes as a promising approach for advancing Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell technology, paving the way for more efficient, durable, and cost-effective solar energy harvesting systems. The prepared electrolytes are systematically investigated for their electrical conductivity, degree of crystallinity, charge transfer resistance, photovoltaic parameters, and surface roughness. The polymer electrolyte with10 wt% nano TiO₂ particle shows a maximum electrical conductivity of 0.658 S cm⁻¹ at 313 K. The highest E_a value for the optimised sample (S2) is 0.689 kJ mol⁻¹, indicating enhanced charge carrier transport kinetics. 10 wt % of nano-TiO₂ based polymer electrolytes exhibited a smaller R_ct1 (3.010 Ω cm²), Rct₂ (3.459 Ω cm2) and R_s (4.823 Ω cm2) compared to the other TiO₂ doped polymer electrolytes. The Atomic force microscopy analysis revealed that the average roughness value of optimised sample S2 is 22.616 nm. The optimized Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell exhibit an enhanced photo-conversion efficiency of 4.67 ± 0.05% under 100 mW cm⁻² illumination, making them suitable for sustainable IoT applications such as autonomous sensors and low-power embedded systems. Additionally, the DSSC module was integrated with an Internet of Things system that measured temperature and moisture. The user received the device’s output through an Android Smartphone App within 0.33 s. This work highlights the potential of nano-engineered polymer electrolytes in advancing DSSC technology for next-generation green energy solutions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-025-00333-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145613002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Design and simulation of interface-tuned Cu(_{2})MgSnS(_{4}) solar cells using transition metal chalcogenides","authors":"Akash Sharma,&nbsp;Rupashree Dutta,&nbsp;Prachi Mohanty,&nbsp;Saswat Mohapatra,&nbsp;Alfa Sharma","doi":"10.1007/s40243-025-00335-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-025-00335-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A novel CMTS-absorber-based heterojunction Solar Cell (SC) with device structure FTO/ZnO/Buffer layer (BL) /CMTS/Se has been numerically modeled and simulated using SCAPS-1D software. Our aim is to identify the most promising sulphur-based buffer layer that offers high efficiency and lower toxicity, which is essential for reducing the carbon footprint. The primary objective is to enhance the efficiency of the SC by optimizing key photovoltaic (PV) parameters of the corresponding buffer layer (BL), absorber layer (AL), along with interface defect density. From the simulations and the energy band diagram, we found that CMTS-based SC with ZrS<span>(_{2})</span> buffer layer revealed an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE). The effects of the front electrode’s work function and operating temperature on the device were also investigated. The findings indicate that the device exhibits greater stability and achieves optimum performance at a temperature of 300 K, with an optimized work function value of 5.9 eV (Se). Furthermore, the effects of Series resistance and Shunt resistance were considered in this study. To gain insight into the built-in potential, the capacitance–voltage (C–V) characteristics were also analysed. Device performance was properly explained by analyzing the electric field, generation rate, and both radiative and nonradiative recombination rates. The simulations achieved SC performances with a PCE of 26.01 %, a fill factor (FF) of 83.21 %, a short-circuit current (<span>(J_{sc})</span>) of 27.93 mA/cm², and an open-circuit voltage (<span>(V_{oc})</span>) of 1.11 V.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-025-00335-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145613001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dual proton transport in Schiff base-modified chitosan functionalized with AMPS for fuel cell applications","authors":"Sonia Jebri,&nbsp;Walid Mabrouk,&nbsp;Ridha Elleuch,&nbsp;Khaled Charradi,&nbsp;H. Elhosiny Ali,&nbsp;Dorra Ghorbel,&nbsp;Sherif M. A. S. Keshk","doi":"10.1007/s40243-025-00334-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40243-025-00334-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) require high proton conductivity, stability, and durability for fuel cell applications. This study reports the synthesis of N-(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonyl) chitosan (CSB) via Schiff base functionalization with 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and the introduction of imine (–CH=N–) and sulfonic acid (–SO₃H) groups, which significantly enhance dual proton conduction mechanisms through the Grotthuss and vehicular pathways. Structural validation was confirmed by FTIR (new imine stretching peak at 1625 cm⁻¹), NMR (imine proton resonance at 8.2 ppm), and XRD [peak shifts from 9.54° to 9.81° for (020) and 20.44° to 19.87° for (110)], increasing the d-spacing from 0.93 to 0.96 Å and 0.43 to 0.47 Å). The BET analysis revealed a surface area of 0.9856 m²/g for CSB and 0.3251 m²/g for AMPS, with micropore areas of 0.5997 m²/g and 0.4955 m²/g, respectively, confirming a controlled porous architecture favorable for ion transport. Zeta potential analysis demonstrated the influence of surface charge on stability, with CS exhibiting a strongly positive charge (+ 58.33 mV), AMPS showing near-neutral behavior (+ 0.29 mV), and CSB achieving moderate electrostatic stabilization (+ 5.58 mV). The synergy between the BET micropore distribution and zeta potential regulation enables efficient ion mobility and electrochemical stability, optimizing the proton conductivity. CSB achieved a proton conductivity of 86.2 mS/cm at 100 °C, surpassing that of pristine CS (49.1 mS/cm), with a lower activation energy (10 vs. 24 kJ/mol for CS). Additionally, CSB resulted in lower water uptake (55%) than CS (90%) and reduced methanol permeability (3.276 × 10⁻⁶ cm²/s vs. 5.358 × 10⁻⁶ cm²/s for CS), ensuring hydration-independent conductivity. Mechanical testing revealed a threefold increase in the tensile strength (31.6 MPa vs. 11.7 MPa for CS) and a significant increase in the elastic modulus (802.4 MPa vs. 195.7 MPa for CS), validating its structural reinforcement ability. These findings confirm the successful incorporation of Schiff base functionalization, demonstrating that CSB is a high-performance, biodegradable alternative to Nafion-based PEMs, offering superior proton conductivity, electrochemical resilience, and mechanical stability for next-generation fuel cell technologies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":692,"journal":{"name":"Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40243-025-00334-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145613004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}