Search

[Display omitted] • Porous PEDOT as the support of PdSn nanoalloy electrocatalyst. • Pd 4 Sn 6 /PEDOT is created and used for the oxidation of ethylene glycol and ethanol. • The interface electronic structure of Pd was modified by introducing Sn and PEDOT. • It shows outstanding electrocatalytic performance and poisoning-tolerance ability. Developing a novel catalyst with lower noble-metal loading and higher catalytic efficiency is significant for promoting the widespread application of direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). In this work, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) supported the PdSn alloy (PdSn/PEDOT) were simply synthesized and their electrocatalytic performance toward the oxidation of ethylene glycol and ethanol (EGOR and EOR) were investigated in alkaline media, respectively. In comparison with other control catalysts, the optimized Pd 4 Sn 6 /PEDOT catalyst exhibits the highest mass activity (7125/4166 mA mg Pd −1) and specific activity (26/15 mA cm−2) towards EGOR/EOR. The mass activity of Pd 4 Sn 6 /PEDOT for EGOR and EOR are 11.9 and 10.9 times higher than commercial Pd/C, respectively. Moreover, chronoamperometry (CA) and successive cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests show that the CO resistance ability and durability of the Pd 4 Sn 6 /PEDOT catalyst were superior to Pd 4 Sn 6 , Pd/PEDOT and commercial Pd/C catalysts, which can be attributed to the d-band center of Pd can be effectively downshifted and the interface strain effect between electrons caused by the conjugated structure between PEDOT groups. This work provides an effective strategy for the development of highly efficient anode catalysts of DAFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Fabricating a highly active and stable nanocatalyst material displays a great concern when constructing a commercially viable ethylene glycol (EG) fuel cell. Herein, nickel oxide nanostructures were grown onto graphite (NO/T) using coprecipitation and calcination protocol at different temperatures. Techniques for XRD, TEM, SEM, and EDX investigations were used to look into the produced crystal planes, shape, and elemental mapping of synthesized nickel oxide nanoparticles. Different NO/T nanocatalyst electroactivities were examined in order to oxidize EG molecules in basic electrolyte. The surface area values of calcined nanostructures at 200°C and 300°C were much higher than those measured at NO/T‐400 by 7.62 and 3.71 folds to explain their outstanding performance. Some kinetic information for varied NO/T nanocatalysts was derived including the electron transfer coefficient, rate constant, and surface coverage values. Electron transfer rate constants of 0.1946, 0.3734, 0.0113, and 0.0303 s−1 were calculated at NO/T‐200, NO/T‐300, NO/T‐400, and NO/T‐500, respectively. Increased oxidation current densities could be achieved when NO/T nanomaterials were subjected to lowered calcination temperatures. NO/T‐200 and NO/T‐300 nanocatalysts also displayed decreased Eonset for alcohol oxidation process by 20 and 41 mV in relation to that at NO/T‐400. Moreover, chronoamperometric experiments revealed the prevalence of the stable behavior during EG oxidation at these nanostructures, especially for calcined ones at 200°C and 300°C. Much reduced poisoning rates were measured at NO/T‐200 (0.171 s−1) and NO/T‐300 (0.067 s−1) when contrasted to that at NO/T‐500 (0.727 s−1). Increasing the alcohol and supporting electrolyte concentrations was beneficial in improving the charge transfer characteristics of NO/T nanocatalysts as demonstrated by EIS measurements. This study supports the promising activity of NiO nanoparticles onto graphite as anode materials for direct alcohol fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient electrocatalysts are critical in the advancement of fuel cell technologies and should have superior activity for alcohol oxidation reactions (AORs). Herein, we report a facile one-pot method to synthesize platinum-bismuth nanoalloy (Pt–Bi) on reduced graphene oxide (RGO), enacting the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) in an acidic solution. The reduction of the Pt and Bi precursors is co-mediated via l -ascorbic acid and ethylene glycol (EG) to afford Pt–Bi nanoparticles with an average size of 5.6 nm highly dispersed on the surface of RGO. Pt–Bi nanoparticle decoration is confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results show the existence of the Pt–Bi metallic phase with minimal oxide. Electrochemical experiments using cyclic voltammetry (CV) reveal that the Pt–Bi/RGO catalyst is considerably more active than commercial Pt/C for AORs. Notably, the mass activity (J mass) of MOR is enhanced by 1.3-fold and EOR is enhanced by 2.3-fold, highlighting the influence of the Pt–Bi interfacial concept. Overall, the results suggest that Pt–Bi/RGO is a highly promising candidate for use in direct alcohol fuel cells. Schematic representation of the Pt–Bi/RGO electrocatalyst for methanol and ethanol direct oxidation reactions. [Display omitted] • Pt–Bi alloy on RGO synthesized successfully by a one-pot method. • Pt–Bi/RGO provides more active sites for methanol and ethanol electro-oxidation. • Bi enhances Pt–Bi nanoparticle CO tolerance for alcohol oxidation. • Pt–Bi/RGO shows mass activity of 0.458 and 0.384 mA μg⁻1-Pt for MOR and EOR. • Improved catalyst stability and activity due to Pt–Bi synergy on RGO support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of small fractions of acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) on the ignition delay time of methane (CH4) was examined at high pressure. Measurements are reported for the ignition delay time obtained in a rapid compression machine (RCM) at a compression pressure (Pc) of ∼60 bar and temperatures after compression (Tc) in the range 750–900 K for fuel‐air equivalence ratios ϕ in the range 1–4. The results show that mixtures of 2%–5% CH3CHO in CH4 ignite under conditions at which pure methane does not ignite experimentally. The efficiency of acetaldehyde as a promoter seems to be comparable to that of other oxygenated fuels like alcohols and ethers. For comparison with the experimental results, ignition delay times are computed using an updated reaction mechanism and two mechanisms from the literature for CH3CHO oxidation. For most conditions, the simulations using the current mechanism agree with the measurements to within a factor of two. The ignition profile shows a pre‐ignition temperature rise and two‐stage ignition similar to that previously observed in low fractions of dimethyl ether in ammonia; both phenomena are captured by the simulations. Analysis of simulations at constant volume indicates that CH3CHO is oxidized much more rapidly than CH4, producing reactive species that initiate the oxidation of CH4 and generates heat that accelerates oxidation toward ignition. The low‐temperature chain‐branching reactions of CH3CHO are important in the early oxidation of the fuel mixture. Additional simulations were performed for equivalence ratios of ϕ = 1 and 4, at a compression pressure (Pc) of 100 bar and Tc = 750–1000 K. The simulations indicate that CH3CHO has a strong ignition‐enhancing effect on CH4, with small fractions reducing the ignition delay time by up to a factor of 100, depending on the temperature, as compared to pure CH4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising demand for portable energy conversion devices has spurred the advancement of direct liquid fuel cells (DLFCs) employing fuels such as alcohol, ammonia, hydrazine, and vitamin C. In these devices, various precious metal platforms have been explored to increase the de-electronation kinetics and reduce catalyst poisoning, but with substantial cost implications. We demonstrate the crucial role of ligands in non-precious organometallic complexes in influencing the de-electronation kinetics of fuel molecules through a unique substrate–ligand synergistic interaction. This unique chemistry imparts electron deficiency at the catalytic metal center while simultaneously populating the ligand with an extensive proton charge assembly. This distinct substrate–ligand interaction enhances the DLFC performance by coulombically dragging the substrate with a distinct amplification in its de-electronation kinetics. By integrating this approach with a ferricyanide/ferrocyanide half-cell reaction, a precious metal-free vitamin C fuel cell is developed, which is capable of generating an open circuit voltage of ∼950 mV, a peak power density of ∼97 mW cm−2 at a peak current density of ∼215 mA cm−2 with the performance metrics nearly 1.7 times higher than a precious metal based DLFC. This highlights the potential of the substrate–ligand synergy in the design of efficient molecular catalysts for energy conversion applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One promising oxygenate additive being considered as a fuel component for diesel engines is 1-butanol. However, since 1-butanol is characterized, like many other alcohols, by poor autoignition properties and, consequently, a low cetane number, the introduction of this additive into diesel fuel naturally worsens the autoignition properties of the blend so obtained. It is usual to consider a proportion of 1-butanol no higher than approx. 30% alcohol by volume. Thus, when considering the addition of 1-butanol to diesel fuel, it is necessary to improve the autoignition properties of such a blend. One such additive may be 2-ethylhexyl nitrate (2-EHN). This article determines the effect of the 2-EHN additive on the autoignition properties of a blend of 1-butanol and diesel fuel at an alcohol content of 30% (v/v). The tests were carried out using a constant volume combustion chamber method, which additionally made it possible to determine the effect of ambient gas temperature on the ignition delay (ID), combustion delay (CD) and derived cetane number (DCN), among other factors. The study showed, among other things, that with an increase in the mass proportion of 2-EHN in the 1-butanol–diesel blend (BDB) tested, the ignition and combustion delay were shortened, which resulted in an increase in the value of the derived cetane number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising prevalence of liver diseases related to obesity and excessive use of alcohol is fuelling an increasing demand for accurate biomarkers aimed at community screening, diagnosis of steatohepatitis and significant fibrosis, monitoring, prognostication and prediction of treatment efficacy. Breakthroughs in omics methodologies and the power of bioinformatics have created an excellent opportunity to apply technological advances to clinical needs, for instance in the development of precision biomarkers for personalised medicine. Via omics technologies, biological processes from the genes to circulating protein, as well as the microbiome – including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can be investigated on an axis. However, there are important barriers to omics-based biomarker discovery and validation, including the use of semi-quantitative measurements from untargeted platforms, which may exhibit high analytical, inter- and intra-individual variance. Standardising methods and the need to validate them across diverse populations presents a challenge, partly due to disease complexity and the dynamic nature of biomarker expression at different disease stages. Lack of validity causes lost opportunities when studies fail to provide the knowledge needed for regulatory approvals, all of which contributes to a delayed translation of these discoveries into clinical practice. While no omics-based biomarkers have matured to clinical implementation, the extent of data generated has enabled the hypothesis-free discovery of a plethora of candidate biomarkers that warrant further validation. To explore the many opportunities of omics technologies, hepatologists need detailed knowledge of commonalities and differences between the various omics layers, and both the barriers to and advantages of these approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reasonable design of Pd-based catalysts with specific composition and morphology is of great importance for promoting the commercial application. of direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). Recently, two-dimension (2D) with high density of defects and massive low-coordinated surface atom has become research highlights in the field of catalysis. Herein, we report a wet chemical method for synthesizing PdCu nanosheets with abundant wrinkles. The ultrathin two-dimensional structure endows catalysts plentiful catalytic active sites and large specific surface area, improving atomic utilization efficiency. The formation of bimetallic PdCu alloy structure leads to the adjustment of Pd electronic structure, resulting in lattice compression effect. Benefitting from the structural and compositional characteristics, PdCu nanosheets (NSs) exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance for ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) and glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) with the mass activity of 7031 mA mg−1/5117 mA mg−1, which is 4.4/3.9 times higher than that of commercial Pd/C catalysts. Furthermore, the remained mass activity of PdCu NSs is 3991/3851 mA mg−1 after the durability measurement for EGOR/GOR, which confirm PdCu NSs possesses superior stability. We believe that our synthetic strategy could provide robust reference for the development of high-performance eletrocatalysts. [Display omitted] • PdCu nanosheets were prepared by a facile solvothermal method. • The PdCu NSs provide ideal electrocatalytic active sites. • The PdCu NSs exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performance toward EGOR and GOR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The n-butanol/low-carbon alcohol/diesel microemulsion system is a good alternative fuel to diesel. In this study, the microemulsions were formulated in four ways: ultrasonication, vortex oscillation, shaker mixing and spontaneous formation. The results reveal that the ultrasonication method is significantly influenced by temperature. Specifically, at 45 °C, the quantity of cosolvent added during the ultrasonic process can be reduced by a maximum of 25% compared to that at 25 °C. However, while the amount of cosolvent required is the lowest at 45 °C, the stability of the emulsion is the poorest. In all cases of this study, the stability of the microemulsion increases when the volume ratio of the lower carbon alcohol exceeds 60%. The lowest amount of co-solvent and high stability were achieved using the shaker mixing method at both 25 °C and 35 °C. Although the quantity of cosolvent required at 45 °C is second only to the lowest, its stability surpasses that of the ultrasonication method. Therefore, it is more effective to choose the shaker mixing method that provides uniform and ordered forces for the preparation of microemulsion liquids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing concern about climate change and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels have driven the search for more sustainable energy alternatives. One way to reduce emissions is by adding oxygenated compounds such as biodiesel and alcohols to diesel fuel. However, this can lead to phase separation between the fuels and have serious consequences for engine performance. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of ethanol content on the miscibility of components in mixtures containing ethanol + biodiesel + diesel through the study of liquid-liquid equilibrium. The results from ternary phase diagrams revealed that the amount of water present in ethanol has a significant effect on the miscibility of the mixture components, with larger biphasic regions observed in systems with lower ethanol content. For the 95% ethanol diagram, the reliability of experimental data on equilibrium lines was assessed through the Othmer-Tobias and Hand correlations, which showed correlation coefficients (R²) of 0.996 and 0.995, respectively. The results obtained from the NRTL and UNIQUAC thermodynamic models demonstrated excellent agreement with the experimental data, with a deviation of only 1.78 and 0.78% for the NRTL and UNIQUAC models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic oxidation of water and C(sp3)−H bonds enables the conversion of solar/electrochemical energy into chemical energy and alcohol fuel production, respectively, and therefore plays important roles in energy conversion/storage. These transformations are typically catalyzed by the highly active complexes of the earth‐abundant first‐row transition metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) with tetra‐amido macrocyclic ligands (TAMLs), although the related kinetics and thermodynamics remain underexplored. This review uses free energy relationships between kinetic and thermodynamic descriptors as normalized metrics to benchmark/compare these TAML‐based catalysts and assess the advances in their development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is common to use efficient catalysts in the anodes and cathodes of methanol and ethanol fuel cells, such as platinum and ruthenium. However, due to their expansivity and rarity, finding a suitable alternative is important. In this work, multi-component catalysts consisting of tungsten oxide, nickel cobaltite, and activated carbon were synthesized through the hydrothermal method. The performance of catalysts in the processes of methanol and ethanol oxidation reactions (MOR and EOR) were investigated. The addition of activated carbon obtained from wheat husk, with an excellent active surface and acceptable electrical conductivity, to the matrix of the catalyst significantly facilitated the oxidation process of alcohols and enhanced the efficiency of the catalyst. The physical and electrochemical characterization of the NiCo2O4/WO3 hybridized with the wheat husk-derived activated carbon (ACWH) catalyst indicated its successful synthesis and good performance in the alcohol oxidation process. NiCo2O4/WO3/ACWH with an oxidation current density of 63.39 mA/cm2 at the peak potential of 0.58 V (1.59 vs. RHE), a cyclic stability of 98.6% in the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and 27.98 mA/cm2 at the peak potential of 0.67 V (1.68 vs. RHE), and a cyclic stability of 95.7% in the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) process can be an interesting option for application in the anodes of alcohol fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovations in fuel cells bring important developments in obtaining energy. Especially with the anodic reactions of fuel cells and the catalysts used in the anodic part, it provides an increase in energy efficiency. With this study, modification of durable and high catalytic activity targeted carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with Platinum nanostructures (CNF@Pt) developed for alcohol oxidation was provided. Further, CNF@Pt was characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). According to Debye Scherrer, the crystalline particle size was approximately 2.27 nm, and the CNF diameter was measured as 161.57 nm according to the TEM results. Besides, the anodic reactions of methanol, ethanol, and 2-Propanol for direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFC) were investigated. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Chronoamperimetry (CA), and recycling performance tests were demonstrated in ideal operating rates of the catalyst. One of the highest anodic peak currents were measured as 145.43, 101.56, and 34.54 mA.cm− 2 for methanol, ethanol, and 2-propanol at a scanning speed of 50 mV/s, respectively. The CNF@Pt catalyst was also very stable and durable in stability tests. In this study, it has been seen that carbon-based fiber materials are an ideal catalyst to increase efficiency in fuel cells and to make sense of the results obtained in their use in different alcohol types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) is crucial in direct alcohol fuel cells and chemical production. However, the electro-oxidation of ethanol molecules to produce acetaldehyde and carbon monoxide can poison the active sites of nanocatalysts, resulting in reduced performance and posing challenges in achieving high activity and selectivity for ethanol oxidation. In this study, we employed a dynamic seed-mediated method to precisely modify highly dispersed Ru sites onto well-defined Pd nanocrystals. The oxyphilic Ru sites serve as "OH valves", regulating water dissociation, while the surrounding Pd atomic arrangements control electronic states for the oxidation dehydrogenation of carbonaceous intermediates. Specifically, Ru0.040@Pd nanocubes (Ru:Pd = 0.04 at.%), featuring (100) facets in Ru-Pd4 configurations, demonstrate an outstanding mass activity of 6.53 A ⋅ mg Pd − 1 in EOR under alkaline conditions, which is 6.05 times higher than that of the commercial Pd/C catalyst (1.08 A ⋅ mg Pd − 1 ). Through in-situ experiments and theoretical investigations, we elucidate that the hydrophilic Ru atoms significantly promote the dynamic evolution of H2O dissociation into OHads species, while the electron redistribution from Ru to adjacent Pd concurrently adjusts the selective oxidation of C2 intermediates. This host–guest interaction accelerates the subsequent oxidation of carbonaceous intermediates (CH3COads) to acetate, while preventing the formation of toxic ⋆CHx and ⋆CO species, which constitutes the rate-determining step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Pd@TiO2 nanostructure is formed by using TiO2 fibers obtained by the electrospinning method and chemical reduction method, and this nanostructure is used in C2, and C3 alcohol oxidation studies as an application. In addition, TiO2 is compared with the Pd catalyst to investigate the effect of TiO2. In the results obtained, peak current values of 193 and 66.7 mA cm−2 for ethanol oxidation and 127.38 and 36.18 mA cm−2 for 2‐propanol oxidation are observed for Pd@TiO2 and Pd catalysts, respectively. With the addition of TiO2 to the structure, the electrocatalytic activity of C2 and C3 alcohol oxidations increases 3–3.5 times and contributes to the onset potential at an earlier potential. It also shows higher durability and stability in long‐term tests. Moreover, the addition of TiO2 to the structure enhances the electrocatalytic activity and provides high current density and long‐term stability in alcohol oxidation. These results show that fibrous structures in combination with metals improve the effect of catalysts and exhibit high potential for their application in alcohol fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present an in-situ and operando time-resolved X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) technique which exploits a combination of Grazing Incidence XAS (GIXAS) and Fixed Energy X-ray Absorption Voltammetry (FEXRAV), the Grazing Incidence FEXRAV (GI-FEXRAV). A case-study is also outlined. Palladium ultra-low loadings were deposited above Au polycrystalline iso-oriented substrates adopting three different deposition methods: surface-controlled electrochemical methods, direct electrodeposition, and physical vapour deposition (PVD). These catalytical surfaces were prepared for the investigation by GI-FEXRAV of the Pd oxidation/dissolution phenomenon that could occur when the metal is used in the anodic compartment of Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells (DAFCs) or in electrochemical reformers. Moreover, we report a robust, low cost and versatile procedure to obtain wide and flat iso-oriented gold substrates that can mimic monocrystalline gold (1 1 1) in the electrochemical response. The use of GI-FEXRAV for the operando characterization of the catalysts, in conjunction with the designed experimental cell and our flexible Au-based electrochemical substrates show an invaluable potential in the operando study of fundamental phenomena in heterogeneous electrocatalysis model systems and, due to its versatility, paves the way to further studies on a wide selection of electrochemical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a thermodynamic and reactivity study of light alcohol fuels was performed, based on experimental and numerical results. We also tested the influence of water addition on fundamental properties of the combustion reactivity dynamics in closed vessels, like the maximum explosion pressure, maximum rate of pressure rise and the explosion delay time of alcohol–air mixtures. The substances that we investigated were as follows: methanol, ethanol, n-propanol and iso-propanol. All experiments were conducted at initial conditions of 323.15 K and 1 bar in a 20 dm3 closed testing vessel. We investigated the reactivity and thermodynamic properties during the combustion of liquid fuel–air mixtures with equivalence ratios between 0.3 and 0.7 as well as some admixtures with water, to observe water mitigation effects. All light alcohol samples were prepared at the same initial conditions on a volumetric basis by mixing the pure components. The volumetric water content of the admixtures varied from 10 to 60 vol%. The aim of water addition was to investigate the influence of thermodynamic properties of light alcohols and to discover to which extent a water addition may accomplish mitigation of combustion dynamics and thermodynamic reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The huge energy consumption primarily resulting from the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the paramount hindrance in achieving the cost-effectiveness of hydrogen production via water electrolysis. In this work, alcohols are employed to assist the hydrogen production, and the feasibility of coproducing electricity and hydrogen in the cation-exchange membrane direct alcohol fuel cells is conceptually validated. After the performance optimization, the peak power density of 114 mW cm−2 is achieved at the hydrogen generation current density of 230 mA cm−2. Impressively, the fairly flat 24-h constant current discharge and hydrogen production plots demonstrate the good durability of the proposed hydrogen production device. Moreover, the fuel flexibility of the cation-exchange membrane direct alcohol fuel cells on methanol, ethanol, propanol, iso-propanol and ethylene glycol furthering suggests its application potential. This work proposes an effective strategy for the energy-saving green hydrogen production. • The CEM-DAFC that co-produces electricity and hydrogen is proposed. • A peak power density of 114 mW cm−2 was achieved for the K-DEFC. • The 24-h continuous electricity-hydrogen coproduction further demonstrate the application potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of a sparkignition engine using a carburetor fuel system, an injection fuel system, and an ultrasonic fuel system. When using gasoline only, the ultrasonic fuel system showed a 31% decrease in fuel consumption compared to the carburetor system and a 15% decrease compared to the injection system. When adding 10% bioethanol to the gasoline, fuel consumption increased in all three systems, with the ultrasonic system showing the largest increase of 10%. Exhaust emissions were also measured, and the ultrasonic system showed a significant decrease in CO, HC, and NOx compared to the carburetor and injection systems, with the largest decrease in CO emissions. The addition of bioethanol to the fuel resulted in reducing exhaust emission values in all three systems, with the ultrasonic system showing the largest decrease in CO and HC emissions compared to the carburetor and injection systems, but with an increase in NOx emissions compared to the injection system. When comparing three fuel systems, it was observed that injection fuel systems have the highest CO2 values. Although the addition of alcohol to the fuel does not cause a significant change in CO2 emission values for injection and ultrasonic fuel systems, an increase is observed in the carburetor fuel system. Overall, the ultrasonic fuel system showed promising results for reducing fuel consumption and improving exhaust emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) face several challenges such as carbon support corrosion, poor kinetics, and long‐term stability, requiring improved electrocatalyst support development. We synthesized 5 %Pd/fMC−NiO using a microwave‐assisted sodium borohydride‐enhanced polyol method. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope, and X‐ray diffractometry probed the material's surface composition, morphology, and structure. ICP‐OES is employed to quantify palladium loading. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy mapped the functional groups. Cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and chronoamperometry show that the 5 %Pd/fMC−NiO has the lowest activation energy, and with that, the best electroactivity, which is ~16 times higher compared to commercial Pd/C; additionally, the catalyst shows anti‐poisoning properties, and long‐term durability. This is merited to the cooperation and promotional effect of Pd/fMC−NiO. The electrocatalysts' electroactivity improved via enhanced electron movement instigated by NiO. This study introduced the parallelism effect concept borrowed from the graphite structure for controlled electron channeling the 5 % Pd/fMC−NiO electrocatalyst. The theoretical calculations corroborated the experimental findings that our approach favors anchoring and dispersing Pd NPs uniformly, demonstrating NiO′s cooperative and promotional effects. Thus, opening new opportunities for the development of electrocatalysts for high‐performance DAFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perfluorinated sulfonic acid membranes used in direct alcohol fuel cells cause low faradaic efficiency and performance due to alcohol absorption and permeation. Thus, a measurement setup is sought that enables a direct evaluation of the suitability of polymer electrolytes for this application. A 3D‐printed diffusion cell setup capable of measuring the interaction between the organic solvents, such as alcohols, and a proton exchange membrane via confocal Raman microscopy is introduced. The cell design employs flow channels to mimic the flow fields of electrochemical cell tests. Exemplarily, information on the interaction of membranes like Nafion 212 and the composite membrane Nafion XL with 1 m solutions of organic solvents such as 2‐propanol, acetone, and ethanol are provided to demonstrate the applicability of this setup. The Raman diffusion cell is capable of quantifying the preferred solvent uptake, which is characterized by the sorption coefficient, the permeability, and the concentration gradient within the membrane. These properties can be obtained in situ and in a time‐resolved manner. Thus, this diffusion cell setup is a powerful and accessible tool for screening membrane compatibility with various liquids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycerol electro‐oxidation reaction was performed in an alkaline environment with an anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC) operating in bath mode at low Pt‐loadings. BAE‐synthesized Pt/C and PtCe/C nanostructured catalysts were used as anode materials during 4‐hour operation to selectively obtain 65 % and 41 % of glycerate as main product, respectively. The modification of Pt with Ce improved the catalytic activity of the Pt/C catalyst generating 30 % more energy density after 4‐hour operation by achieving a higher degree of glycerol oxidation in cogeneration with added‐value products confirmed by spectroelectrochemical (in situ FTIR) and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analyses. The bifunctional mechanism generated by the presence of Ce is used to explain the improvement in the catalytic activity of Pt/C, due to the properties of this rare earth element to adsorb oxygenated species (OH−) and promote oxidation. The cathode material was a polyol‐synthesized PdFe/C electro‐catalyst for ORR that presented impressive stability and tolerance to glycerol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct alcohol fuel cells are the next‐generation energy sources of the future due to their high power density. Palladium electrocatalysts are promising prospects for enhancing alcohol oxidation in alkaline media, but the higher cost and susceptibility to CO poisoning limit their application and commercialization. Thus, there is a need to improve the performance of the Pd electrocatalysts by utilizing a double supporting system. A microwave‐assisted polyol method is used to synthesize the palladium nanoparticles supported on iron oxide‐carbon black material (Pd/Fe2O3‐CB). Physiochemical and electrochemical characterization of the obtained electrocatalysts materials is conducted to study morphology and the electrochemical behaviour of the as‐synthesized electrocatalysts. The Pd/Fe2O3‐CB displayed higher kinetics approved by a higher current density of 58.7 mA cm−2, stability, and durability, owing to Fe2O3, and CB incorporation. Density functional theory (DFT) proves that C from CO has more robust interactions with surface Pd, thereby explaining the stronger C‐O binding property of Pd. The orbital analysis revealed that 3d orbitals of Pd participate in the hybridization with 2p orbitals of C and O. As a result, the overlap between C2p and Pd3d/Fe3d orbitals significantly broadened, leading to solid adsorption of CO over Pd/Fe2O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel-based materials are promising candidates as electro-catalysts for the oxidation of alcohol fuels. In the present study, electrospun CoFe 2 O 4 spinel nanostructures were prepared by electrospinning technique and the subsequent thermal treatment processes. Then, the bimetallic Au–Pd–CoFe 2 O 4 composite as electro-catalysts were synthesized by precipitation method. The surface morphology, composition and structure of the resulting composite nanostructures were studied by FE-SEM, EDS, TEM, XPS, XRD and FT-IR. The catalytic performance of resultant composite has been examined in ethanol electro-oxidation reactions under alkaline conditions. The effect of different Au:Pd ratios on the electrocatalytic performance of Au–Pd–CoFe 2 O 4 composite nanostructures for ethanol oxidation was evaluated. The synthesized composite Au–Pd–CoFe2O4 (APCo22) illustrates a superior ethanol oxidation activity in comparison to other electrocalysts, and the peak current of this spinel-type electro-catalysts is 9.89 times that of Pd–CoFe 2 O 4 with a scan rate of 50 mVs−1, which is due to the synergistic effect of Au and Pd on CoFe 2 O 4. Furthermore, the remarkable electrochemical property can be due to the production of OH−, which leads to the species present on the surface of the electro-catalysts during the activation process. • Au–Pd–CoFe 2 O 4 are synthesized by electrospinning and chemical reduction technique as an anode catalyst. • The ratio of Au to Pd was investigated in the electro-catalytic performance of Au–Pd–CoFe 2 O 4 spinel for ethanol oxidation. • The Au–Pd–CoFe 2 O 4 catalyst illustrated high current density and suitable potentials. • Au–Pd–CoFe 2 O 4 catalyst was progressed of C–H breaking and CO ad endurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of efficient, durable and inexpensive electrocatalysts is of great importance in the development of direct alcohol fuel cells, a clean energy source. In this context, in this study, chain-like platinum-copper (PtCu) nanoparticles were synthesised by chemical reduction method to be used in alcohol oxidation studies. X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD) of the synthesised nanoparticles showed the formation of PtCu crystal structure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis showed the formation of chain-like PtCu structures and particles with an average size of 4.04 nm. These PtCu nanocomposite structures were used in electro oxidation studies of ethanol, methanol and 2-propanol. As a result of the oxidation studies, anodic peak currents of 253.1 mA cm−2, 187.7 mA cm−2, 37.2 mA cm−2 were obtained for methanol, ethanol and 2-propanol, respectively. It was also observed that PtCu has a higher electrochemically active surface area than bare Pt and is more tolerant to CO. The results showed that the synthesised catalyst showed very high electrocatalytic activity and stability in alcohol fuel cells. With this study, important results have been given for the stability problem, which is one of the biggest problems in fuel cells. • Chain-like PtCu nanoparticles were synthesised. • PtCu NPs is long term stable in alcohol oxidation. • PtCu has been used in the oxidation of different alcohol types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The in-situ carbon-supported ultrafine PdSnAg nanoparticles with an average size of 3.27 nm were synthesized via a simple one-pot method. • The ultrafine nanoparticle structure and the synergistic effect between different components enhance the electrocatalytic performances of PdSnAg/C NPs. • The introduction of oxophilic metals Sn and Ag can effectively modulate the electronic structure of Pd. • The PdSnAg/C NPs exhibit excellent catalytic performances for EGOR, EOR and GOR. Designing functional and durable electrocatalysts for the oxidation of alcohols plays a significant role for the development of direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). Herein, carbon-supported ultrafine PdSnAg nanoparticles with an average size of 3.27 nm (denoted as PdSnAg/C NPs) have been synthesized for alcohols electrocatalysis. The smaller particle size means a higher proportion of surface exposed atoms for catalyzing the reaction followed by high catalytic performance. The multimetallic nanoalloys have potential electronic structure adjustment and synergistic effect between different components. The incorporation of oxophilic metals Sn and Ag facilitates the removal of intermediates produced during the oxidation of alcohols. The PdSnAg/C NPs exhibit a remarkable electrocatalytic performance for ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) with the mass activity of 12.3 A mg Pd -1, which is 15.6, 2.50 and 2.60 times higher than those of commercial Pd/C (0.790 A mg Pd -1), PdSn/C NPs (4.85 A mg Pd -1) and PdAg/C NPs (4.69 A mg Pd -1), respectively. Meanwhile, PdSnAg/C NPs show superior mass activities of 10.6 A mg Pd -1 and 6.65 A mg Pd -1 for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) and glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR), which are 14.3 and 8.30 times superior than the commercial Pd/C, respectively. The exceptional mass activity promises the PdSnAg/C NPs to be the potential Pd-based catalysts for alcohols electrocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs), energy conversion co‐occurs at the anode (alcohol oxidation reaction [AOR]) and cathode (oxygen reduction reaction [ORR]). The sluggishness of AOR and ORR needs highly electrocatalytically active and stable electrocatalysts that boost electrokinetics, which is central in electrocatalysts' architectural design and modulation. This design entails enhanced engineering synthesis protocols, heteroatomic doping, metallic doping/alloying, and deliberate introduction of defective motifs within the electrocatalyst matrix. The electrocatalyst activity and behavior depend on the electrocatalysts' nature, type, composition, and reaction media, acidic or alkaline. Alkaline media permits cheap nonplatinum group metals. This review elucidates the roles and electrocatalytic pathways on different AOR and ORR electrocatalysts and outlines the aspects distinguishing ORR in alkaline and acidic media. It gives up‐to‐date and ultramodern strategies, protocols, and underlying mechanisms pointing to the efficacy and efficiency of electrocatalysts. The focus centers on heteroatomic, metallic dopants, defects effects correlated to electrocatalytic properties and experimental and theoretical findings. For the advancement in the field, the present study discusses critical parameters for improving the performances of electrocatalysts for DAFCs and breakthroughs on the horizon. Conclusively, knowledge gaps and prospects of these materials for industrial viability and reigning futuristic research directions are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on renewable fuels is crucial to render engines compliant with energy and environmental efficiency, and alcohol fuels have become hotspots in the field of modern gasoline direct injection engines. This study aims to elucidate the effects of ethanol addition on spray deviation under non-flash and flashing conditions. Macroscopic characteristics and microscopic characteristics can be obtained from Diffused Back Illumination and Phase Doppler Anemometry. The influential factors accounting for the spray deviation were examined, and internal flow simulations were also performed to obtain in-nozzle flow information. The angled momentum induced by the short L/D ratio leaves space for ambient gas ingestion into the counterbore under non-flash conditions. The entrained gas was affected by cavitation intensities, leading to the spray deviation, which was tracked by the Lagrangian particle trajectory method. The spray deviation is also affected by the formation of the low-pressure zone and droplets' migration. The higher surface tension and lower molecular weight of ethanol facilitate the spray expansion, forming the liquid barrier to draw the spray moving toward the injector center. Ethanol's high latent heat of evaporation inhibits the further reduction in droplets' radius, resulting in a persistent decrease in the relative span factor. On the other hand, the high latent heat of evaporation leads to a larger pressure drop induced by the vapor condensation, accounting for the "more powerful" abilities in drawing droplets into the jet center. The trade-off between the droplets' size and migration ability should be achieved to efficiently modulate spray deviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propanol isomers, which are oxygen-rich fuels, possess superior octane ratings and energy density in comparison to methanol and ethanol. Recently, due to advancements in fermentation techniques, these propanol isomers have garnered increased interest as additives for engines. They are being explored to decrease emissions and reduce the usage of conventional fossil fuels. This study delves into this emerging field. One of the alternatives is the use of alcohol fuels in their pure state or as additives to traditional fuels. Alcohols, due to their higher volumetric energy density, are better fuels for spark ignition engines than hydrogen and biogas. Alcohol-blended fuels or alcohol fuels in their pure state may be used in gasoline engines to reduce exhaust emissions. The current research emphasizes the effect of isopropanol gasoline blends on the performance and emissions characteristics of a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine. This investigation was conducted with different blends of isopropanol and gasoline (by volume: 10% isopropanol [IP10], 20% isopropanol [IP10], 30% isopropanol [IP30], 40% isopropanol [IP40], and 50% isopropanol [IP50]). The reviewed results showed that with increasing isopropanol in the fuel blends, engine brake power increased while BSFC decreased. In terms of emissions, with the increase in isopropanol in the fuel blends, CO and HC emissions decreased while CO2 and NOx emissions increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation is crucial in fuel cell anodes. Recent research has focused on electrocatalysts that synergistically enhance CO oxidation alongside alcohol/hydrogen oxidation. High sensitivity and selectivity for CO oxidation at lower onset potentials are the key objectives. Molybdenum (Mo) has emerged as a promising non‐noble transition metal co‐catalyst for CO oxidation. Mo versatility arises from its ability to alloy with Pt and mix with other non‐noble transition metals in various forms (MoOx, MoS2, MoC). Carbon‐supported Mo nanoparticles have shown potential in reducing Pt loading and improving CO tolerance due to Mo oxyphilic properties, effectively oxidizing weakly adsorbed CO and lowering onset and peak potentials. However, challenges persist, such as a limited potential window for CO oxidation and decreased CO adsorption affinity at higher potentials. Addressing these issues requires understanding factors affecting Mo‐based electrocatalysts (Mo‐ECs) activity, including PtMo alloy composition, Mo′s chemical state, cell temperature, and the role of carbon support. This article provides a comprehensive review of Mo‐ECs role in CO electrooxidation in direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) over the past two decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohols are one of the most common organic compound classes among natural and synthetic products. Thus, methods for direct removal of C−OH groups without the need for wasteful pre‐functionalization are of great synthetic interest to unlock the full synthetic potential of the compound class. Herein, electroreductive C−OH bond activation and subsequent deoxygenative C−H and C−C bond formation of benzylic and propargylic alcohols are demonstrated along with mechanistic insights. Experimental and theoretical studies indicate that the reductive C−OH bond cleavage furnishes an open shell intermediate that undergoes a radical‐polar crossover to the corresponding carbanion that subsequently undergoes protonation to furnish alkane products. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the carbanion can be trapped with CO2 to form arylacetic acids. The cathodic transformations are efficiently balanced by the anodic oxidation of sub‐stoichiometric borohydride additives, a strategy that serves as a highly attractive alternative to the use of sacrificial metal anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The 3D PdCu nanostars were prepared by a one-pot wet-chemical approach. • The Cu2+ concentrations were critical to obtain 3D nanostars architectures. • The PdCu nanostars showed excellent catalytic performances for EGOR and GOR. • The excellent catalysis preference is ascribed to the unique structures and the synergistic effect of the bimetals. The fabrication of effective and stable electrocatalysts is crucial for practical applications of direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). In this study, bimetallic PdCu nanostars (PdCu NSs) were fabricated by a Cu2+-modulated one-pot wet-chemical method, where cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) worked as a structure-regulating reagent. The morphology, compositions, crystal structures and formation mechanism of the as-prepared PdCu NSs were investigated by a series of techniques. The unique architectures created abundant active sites, which resulted in a large electrochemical active surface area (9.5 m2 g−1). The PdCu NSs showed negative shifts in the onset potentials and large forward peak current densities by contrast with those of commercial Pd black for the catalytic ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) and glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR). It revealed that the PdCu NSs outperformed Pd black in the similar surroundings. This work provides a constructive strategy for fabrication of high-efficiency electrocatalysts for alcohol fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the coming years, energy sources will play a vital role in global development. Biofuels made from sustainable sources are essential for the global economy's long‐term viability and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Clean, renewable, and sustainable must be the watchwords for future energy strategy. Alcohol fuels are again becoming a popular term in the context of green fuel usage in relation to climate change mitigation and clean fuel technology. In this review, low alcohol synthesis, applications and limitations as fuel and its catalytic conversion to fuel and petrochemicals were discussed, in addition to the techno‐economic evaluation, environmental implications and prospects for practical application of low alcohols as fuels and petrochemicals. The study shows that lower alcohols have emerged as a fundamental feedstock for the synthesis of fuels and value‐added chemicals due to the increased accessibility of conversion technologies in recent years, but the cost of producing lower alcohols affects their commercialization and availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in using small organic molecules to convert chemical fuels into electrical energy. In this context, ethylene glycol (EG) is a potential feedstock due to its high energy density, which makes this molecule suitable for direct alcohol fuel cells. Thus, combining Pt atoms with other oxophilic elements, such as Mo, is a promising strategy based on the unrivaled importance of developing efficient electrocatalysts for this application. Herein, we report the engineering of PtMo nanoparticles (NPs) as the active phase for EG electrooxidation. Interestingly, a self-assembly process occurred during their manufacturing, and a simple NPs synthesis process (a modified one-pot polyol method) afforded nanostructures with virtually all Mo atoms inside the particles for different PtMo ratios. By preparing three PtMo ratios, we obtained the following NPs sizes: 2.74 ± 2.34 nm (Pt 90 Mo 10), 2.16 ± 1.92 nm (Pt 80 M 20), and 2.47 ± 2.09 nm (2.47 ± 2.09 nm). After immobilizing the NPs onto Vulcan XC-72 carbon black, we got different onset potentials/current densities (at 25 °C): Pt 90 Mo 10 /C (0.33 V/189.0 μA/cm2), Pt 80 Mo 20 /C (0.19 V/132.0 μA/cm2), and Pt 70 Mo 30 /C (0.24 V/95.0 μA/cm2) for the EG electrooxidation. However, essential understandings were raised regarding the studied systems: density-functional tight-binding-based (DFTB) calculations addressed the configuration of the metals in the obtained nanostructures; also, such an approach brought insights regarding the emergence of electronic properties of the different PtMo ratios and mechanistic insights corroborating analytical analyses performed by liquid chromatography. Hence, the best results could be attributed to tailored electronic effects based on a Mo-optimized quantity (Pt 80 Mo 20 /C electrocatalyst). Therefore, we believe we cooperated in better understanding PtMo-based systems, and how the metal ratio decisively can affect their performance, opening new opportunities for practical fuel cell applications. [Display omitted] • Preparation of self-assembled PtMo nanoparticles. • Optimization of the PtMo ratio for ethylene glycol electrooxidation with improved performance. • Association of electronic properties with the catalytic process. • Mechanistic insights regarding the ethylene glycol electrooxidation for the optimized bimetallic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of efficient and sustainable platinum-based catalysts is the key to developing direct alcohol fuel cells. Here, we designed highly open, one-dimensional Pt–Ni architectures with controllable wall thickness by selectively etching Pt–Ni nanowires. Pt atoms of both the inner and outer Pt–Ni architectures can participate in the electrochemical process, dramatically increasing the number of active sites and resulting in excellent alcohol electrooxidation performance. The obtained Pt1Ni5-M architecture with an ultrathin wall of 1.18 nm and a more open structure shows the best performance. The methanol oxidation reaction and ethanol oxidation reaction mass activities of Pt 1 Ni 5 -M are 7.4 (1.93 A/mg Pt) and 4.6 (0.96 A/mg Pt) times higher than that of Pt/C, respectively. After 3600s chronoamperometry tests, these Pt–Ni architectures also show improved durability with limited decay. This simple strategy inspires us to create more suitable catalysts with open structures for direct alcohol fuel cells. One-dimensional porous PtNi architectures with controllable wall thickness, particularly Pt 1 Ni 5 -M with subnanometer walls, significantly boosted platinum atom utilization, resulting in excellent alcohol oxidation performance. [Display omitted] • A novel porous one-dimensional PtNi architecture with controllable wall thickness and high openness was designed. • The wall thickness of Pt 1 Ni 5 -M can be controlled in a sub-nanometer range. • PtNi architectures greatly improve the utilization rate of Pt atoms and increase alcohol electrooxidation activity. • The alcohol electrooxidation activity trends of Pt 1 Ni x -M catalysts were negatively correlated with the wall thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of economically viable anode catalysts for the alcohol oxidation reaction (AOR) has been a long-standing challenge in direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). A series of Pd–Ag nanoparticles embedded in mesoporous carbon were fabricated in this study using a green approach that did not require the use of a surfactant, which exhibited better catalytic properties for AOR. Experiments and DFT calculations reveal that the d-band center of Pd is influenced by both strain and ligand effects, with the ligand effect predominating. The electrochemical studies demonstrated that the composite-optimized Pd–Ag alloy at a Pd/Ag molar ratio of 1:1 was the highest in terms of ethanol oxidation (EOR) and ethylene glycol oxidation (EGOR) catalytic activity. The mass activities of Pd1Ag1/MC for EOR and EGOR were 7921 mA mg−1 and 11,520 mA mg−1, respectively, which were 3.77 and 5.3 fold greater than Pd/C. The impressive performance of Pd1Ag1/MC catalyst could be attributed to the vital roles of the unique mesoporous structure of carbon sphere with abundant self-doping defect and the boosting effect of Ag (benefit from optimized d-band electronic structure and bi-functional mechanism). The present simple method of synthesizing low-cost, easy-to-use, and high-performance catalysts contributes to the exploration of the large-scale practical applications of direct alkaline alcohol fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing energy demands and environmental issues, renewable energy‐related conversion systems have gained significant attention as a potential substitute for traditional fossil fuel‐based energy technologies. First introduced by S.W.Grove in 1838, fuel cells have been extensively developed into many different types, and direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) are of interest as a potential power source because of their large power density, quick start, simplicity, and nearly zero emission. However, the high cost and poor catalytic efficiency of current catalysts are primary barriers to commercializing DAFCs. Designing advanced nanocatalysts for both anode and cathode electrodes is of crucial importance for practical DAFC development; however, a brief evaluation of current progress in electrocatalyst development for the alcohol oxidation reaction (AOR) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is still very little. Herein, recent advances in fuel cell catalysts, mainly focusing on several most active areas (i.e., Pt‐ and Pt‐free‐based catalysts, metal‐free carbon, carbon‐based nonprecious metal composites) are concisely summarized. Also, challenges and prospects for DAFCs are highlighted to supply a comprehensive view for further designing high‐performance DAFC catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes two ways of solving environmental problems in the fuel industry, which arose due to the need to stabilize the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. According to the first direction, the ways of using various non-traditional types of raw materials and waste containing sugars for the purpose of producing environmentally friendly types of fuel are considered. According to the second direction, the possibilities of integrated use of ethanol and all by-products formed during its production are analyzed to improve ecology in the fuel industry. We have established the possibility of using the by-products of ethanol production, fuel oil and fuel alcohol, to improve the operational properties of motor fuels used in carburetor and diesel engines. It has been stated that the additives of fuel alcohol and fuel oil increase the octane number of gasoline, improve its fractional composition, as a result of which the completeness of fuel combustion and the uniformity of its supply to the engine cylinders increase. The optimal concentrations of alcohol additives to gasoline are as follows: 5 vol.% and 10 vol. 9o for fuel alcohols and fuel oil, respectively. It has been established that the addition of fuel oil to diesel fuels increases their cetane number, this causes the mixture to ignite faster and the diesel engine to start. Moreover, with the addition of fuel oil, the temperature of the beginning of boiling decreases which facilitates the starting properties of the fuel, and the viscosity of the fuel mixture decreases which improves the completeness of mixing and transportation in the engine system. The optimal concentration of fuel oil additive to diesel fuel is 10 vol.%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] A highly active surface can endow the electrocatalysts with extraordinary catalytic performances. However, it remains challenging to tailor the atomic packing characteristics and thus the physical and chemical characteristics of the electrocatalysts. Herein, penta-twinned Pd nanowires (NWs) with abundant high-energy atomic steps (i.e., stepped Pd) are synthesized by seeded synthesis on Pd NWs enclosed by (1 0 0) facets. Benefiting from the catalytically active atomic steps, such as [ n (1 0 0) × m (1 1 1)] on the surface, the resultant stepped Pd NWs can work as an effective electrocatalyst for the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) and ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR), which are essential anode reactions in direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). Compared with commercial Pd/C, the Pd nanowires bound by (1 0 0) facets and atomic steps both display enhanced catalytic activity and stability towards the EOR and EGOR. Importantly, the mass activities of the stepped Pd NWs toward the EOR and EGOR are 6.38 and 7.98 A mg Pd −1, which are 3.1 and 2.6 times those of Pd NWs enclosed by (1 0 0) facets, respectively. Besides, our synthetic strategy also enables the formation of bimetallic Pd-Cu nanowires with abundant atomic steps. This work not only demonstrates a simple yet effective strategy to obtain mono- or bi-metallic nanowires with abundant atomic steps, but also highlights the significant role of atomic steps for boosting the activity of electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engine researchers focused on alcohol fuels since the invention of diesel engines in the 1900s, and the rise in petrochemical costs in the 1970s triggered this concern. This study investigates the impacts of the injection start timing, pilot injection application, and boost air pressure increase, on combustion and exhaust emissions in a common rail diesel engine fueled with ethanol/butan-2-ol/diesel blends. The lowest combustion noise was obtained in the pilot injection application as 83.8 dB in E15B3. The results indicated that the peak point of cylinder gas pressure rose by more than 5 % in the application of pilot fuel injection and advanced injection timing, compared to conventional engine operating conditions. However, maximum CO 2 and NO x were seen in the pilot injection application using FBDF as 5.7 % and 670 ppm, respectively. As alcohol rate increases in fuel blends, the average 1.3 °CA in the ignition delay period was increased, while the total combustion period was shortened more than 6 °CA. This result shows that the combustion reactions of alcohol/diesel fuels occur faster than pure diesel. However, the variation in the ignition delay and total combustion periods of the test fuels considerably reduced with pilot fuel injection application. These results indicates that pilot fuel injection may be applied very controlled according to changing engine conditions. It was calculated in statistical analysis that except for the coefficient variation of the maximum pressure increase rate, the other coefficient variation values were relatively stable and below 3 %. In addition, it was determined that the results of the finite element analysis are proportional to the pressure values obtained experimentally. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the urgency for environmental sustainability escalates globally, the exploration of alternative fuels for diesel engines becomes a crucial endeavor. By combining chemical reaction kinetics and three-dimensional simulation software, the combustion and emission characteristics of a diesel engine fueled with two oxygenated fuels, hydrogenated biodiesel and ethanol, and adopting a multi-stage injection strategy were studied. The combustion mechanism of hydrogenated biodiesel ethanol diesel hybrid fuel was established, and the reaction activity of ester alcohol diesel with different mixing ratios was studied through reaction flow analysis at high and low OH temperatures. The established mechanism was coupled with CFD 2021 three-dimensional simulation software to compare the combustion and emission performance of diesel engines fueled with different ratios of ester alcohol diesel. The results show that as the proportion of ester alcohol mixture increases, at low temperatures, the OH generation rate decreases, the consumption rate increases, and the reaction activity decreases, which is not conducive to the promotion of combustion reaction; at high temperatures, the generation rate of OH increases, the consumption rate decreases, and the reaction activity increases, which is conducive to the promotion of combustion reactions. Compared to diesel, the reaction system activity of mixed fuel is enhanced, and the main peak values of cylinder pressure and instantaneous heat release rate are higher than that of diesel. The diffusion of oil and gas in the cylinder is improved. As the proportion of ester alcohol diesel mixture increases, the oxygen content increases, nitrogen oxides emissions increase compared to diesel, and soot emissions decrease compared to diesel. Soot emissions are mainly distributed in areas with a high equivalence ratio and high temperature, which is consistent with the distribution area of C2H2, the precursor of soot generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the technical and economical pre-feasibility of electrochemical reduction from CO2 to ethanol is unknown. This creates the challenge of mitigating the environmental impact of greenhouse gases. This study presents a model to obtain fuel alcohol from carbon dioxide with Aspen Plus V11 simulation software, utilizing both, the experimental parameters established by Yuan (1), and the scaling of an industrial plant which processes 226.12 tonne of CO2 per day. The kinetic equation for the liquid phase of r_(CO_2 )=460.24 s-1 was determined as well as its conditions of operations, allowing the acquisition of 98.74% of conversion, 8.85% of selectivity, 99% v/v ethanol flow at 4,390.18 kg/h and hydrogen Flow at 1,828.96 kg/h. From the cost estimation, the viability of the project was determined with a 85.18% IRR and an investment return of 2.20 years after initiating the project. In conclusion, the use of an electrochemical process to produce fuel alcohol from carbon dioxide was found to be viable economically and industrially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]