Migration and Precipitation of Platinum in Anion-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.

Despite the recent progress in increasing the power generation of Anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs), their durability is still far lower than that of Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Using the complementary techniques of X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, we have identified Pt ion migration as an important factor to explain the decay in performance of AEMFCs. In alkaline media Pt+2 ions are easily formed which then either undergo dissolution into the carbon support or migrate to the membrane. In contrast to PEMFCs, where hydrogen cross over reduces the ions forming a vertical "Pt line" within the membrane, the ions in the AEM are trapped by charged groups within the membrane, leading to disintegration of the membrane and failure. Diffusion of the metal components is still observed when the Pt/C of the cathode is substituted with a FeCo-N-C catalyst, but in this case the Fe and Co ions are not trapped within the membrane, but rather migrate into the anode, thereby increasing the stability of the membrane.

Sustainable Plant-Based Biopolymer Membranes for PEM Fuel Cells.

Carboxycellulose nanofibers (CNFs) promise to be a sustainable and inexpensive alternative material for polymer electrolyte membranes compared to the expensive commercial Nafion membrane. However, its practical applications have been limited by its relatively low performance and reduced mechanical properties under typical operating conditions. In this study, carboxycellulose nanofibers were derived from wood pulp by TEMPO oxidation of the hydroxyl group present on the C6 position of the cellulose chain. Then, citric acid cross-linked CNF membranes were prepared by a solvent casting method to enhance performance. Results from FT-IR spectroscopy, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and XRD reveal a chemical cross-link between the citric acid and CNF, and the optimal fuel cell performance was obtained by cross-linking 70 mL of 0.20 wt % CNF suspension with 300 µL of 1.0 M citric acid solution. The membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), operated in an oxygen atmosphere, exhibited the maximum power density of 27.7 mW cm-2 and the maximum current density of 111.8 mA cm-2 at 80 °C and 100% relative humidity (RH) for the citric acid cross-linked CNF membrane with 0.1 mg cm-2 Pt loading on the anode and cathode, which is approximately 30 times and 22 times better, respectively, than the uncross-linked CNF film. A minimum activation energy of 0.27 eV is achieved with the best-performing citric acid cross-linked CNF membrane, and a proton conductivity of 9.4 mS cm-1 is obtained at 80 °C. The surface morphology of carboxycellulose nanofibers and corresponding membranes were characterized by FIB/SEM, SEM/EDX, TEM, and AFM techniques. The effect of citric acid on the mechanical properties of the membrane was assessed by tensile strength DMA.

Template-Assisted Growth of High-Quality α-Phase FAPbI3 Crystals in Perovskite Solar Cells Using Thiol-Functionalized MoS2 Nanosheets.

Formamidinium lead iodide (FAPI) has gained attention for hybrid perovskite solar cell (PSC) applications due to its enhanced stability and narrow bandgap. However, a significant challenge remains in inducing and stabilizing the elusive perovskite "black phase"─photoactive cubic α-FAPI─as the relatively bulky FA+ cations tend to favor the thermodynamically stable nonphotoactive "yellow phase". In this study, we present a templated growth strategy employing thiol-functionalized MoS2 nanosheets as templates. By introduction of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-functionalized MoS2 as a growth template, precise control over crystal formation was achieved, favoring the growth of high-quality α-FAPI films. These advanced templated films exhibited substantial improvements in charge transport properties, efficient light absorption, and enhanced charge extraction. As a result, the PSCs achieved a significantly enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to the nontemplated control device, increasing from 20.6 to 22.5%. The MoS2-incorporated device also demonstrated excellent shelf stability, maintaining 91% of the initial PCE even after 1600 h of storage without device encapsulation.

The role of remote sensing during a global disaster: COVID-19 pandemic as case study.

Remotely sensed imagery is used as a tool to aid decision makers and scientists in a variety of fields. A recent world event in which satellite imagery was extensively relied on by a variety of stakeholders was the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article we aim to give an overview of the types of information offered through remote sensing (RS) to help address different issues related to the pandemic. We also discuss about the stakeholders that benefited from the data, and the value added by its availability. The content is presented under four sub-sections; namely (1) the use of RS in real-time decision-making and strategic planning during the pandemic; how RS revealed the (2) environmental changes and (3) social and economic impacts caused by the pandemic. And (4) how RS informed our understanding of the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen responsible for the pandemic. High resolution optical imagery offered updated on-the-ground data for e.g., humanitarian aid organizations, and informed operational decision making of shipping companies. Change in the intensity of air and water pollution after reduced anthropogenic activities around the world were captured by remote sensing - supplying concrete evidence that can help inform improved environmental policy. Several economic indicators were measured from satellite imagery, showing the spatiotemporal component of economic impacts caused by the global pandemic. Finally, satellite based meteorological data supported epidemiological studies of environmental disease determinants. The varied use of remote sensing during the COVID-19 pandemic affirms the value of this technology to society, especially in times of large-scale disasters.