Transition toward a low-carbon economy has positioned green hydrogen as a key vector for sustainable energy systems. Large-scale deployment remains constrained by transportation and storage challenges, particularly across complex inland water bodies such as the Caspian Sea. This study presents a comprehensive overview of existing strategies and emerging innovations for transporting green hydrogen across the Caspian Sea, with emphasis on geomorphological and hydrological constraints. The Caspian Sea, the world's largest enclosed inland water body, spans approximately 371000 km(2) with an average depth of 211 m, and features extensive shallow zones along its northern and eastern coasts. These physical characteristics, combined with variable salinity, seasonal currents (averaging 5 to 25 cm s(-1)), and sediment transport, complicate the establishment of reliable and secure transport routes. Influence of these geographical factors on marine infrastructure planning, pipeline installation, and shipping routes were analysed in this study. The present review explores innovative maritime hydrogen transport technologies, including cryogenic liquid hydrogen tankers and ammonia-based carriers, while assessing their feasibility in high-sediment zones. The study also evaluates optimal storage methods, such as compressed hydrogen, metal hydrides, and liquid organic hydrogen carrier systems, against criteria of safety, cost efficiency, and environmental resilience. Geospatial analyses and comparative route modelling highlight critical corridors that minimize exposure to geomorphological hazards, enabling reductions in energy loss and logistical risk. Optimization approaches may also lower hydrogen losses during transport (with indicative estimates of up to similar to 18%) and reduce infrastructure costs by 12 - 20% relative to conventional routing strategies. This study also identifies gaps, provides future research perspectives and policy development supporting trans-Caspian green hydrogen infrastructure. Findings from this study are of strategic importance for regional energy cooperation, particularly among Central Asian and Caucasus states aiming to establish themselves as hydrogen exporters to Europe.
This study introduces innovative advancements in catalyst and membrane technology to improve fuel cell performance and reduce costs. Platinum-group metal (PGM)-free iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe-N-C) catalysts achieved a 0.85 W/cm2 power density, a 19.88% improvement over traditional PGM-free catalysts, with stable operation exceeding 1000 hours. Nanostructured carbon supports enhanced oxygen reduction reaction activity by 30.13% and current density by 25.02%. Additionally, a novel proton exchange membrane with superior ionic conductivity and durability increased fuel cell efficiency by 10.12% while significantly reducing hydrogen crossover rates. These advancements represent a breakthrough in developing cost-effective, high-performance fuel cell systems.
The synthesis of electrolytes based on nanopowders of Zr₀.₈₄Y₀.₁₆O₂-δ (YSZ), Zr₀.₈₁Sc₀.₁₉O₂-δ (ScSZ), and Ce₀.₇₃Gd₀.₂₇O₂-δ (GDC) was carried out using laser evaporation. The resulting powders had average particle sizes of 15.5 μm (YSZ), 11.0 μm (ScSZ), and 0.02 μm (GDC), as determined by BET analysis. The specific surface areas of the powders were 65.3 m²/g for YSZ, 97.4 m²/g for ScSZ, and 34.2 m²/g for GDC. Additionally, cathode material powders of La₀.₇Sr₀.₃MnO₃ (LSM) and lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrites (LSCF-2020, LSCF-4020, and LSCF-4080) were synthesized using polymer-salt pyrolysis and solution combustion synthesis methods. The LSM powder exhibited a rhombohedral phase (space group R-3c) with a secondary phase content of ~9 wt.%. The LSCF powders demonstrated a single-phase perovskite structure with a rhombohedral symmetry (space group R-3c). Nickel oxide (NiO) powder for the anode was obtained using the wire explosion method, producing predominantly spherical particles. The phase composition of the synthesized materials was determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), confirming a single-phase structure for all powders except LSM, which contained ~9 wt.% of a secondary phase. The sintering behavior was studied to determine optimal processing conditions, revealing that the electrolytes reached high densification levels at 1300°C, while the electrodes required sintering at 1100–1150°C. The co-sintering approach was developed for fabricating solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), allowing for controlled morphology of polymer-ceramic films. Electrochemical performance tests demonstrated the long-term stability and functional viability of the fabricated solid oxide fuel cells components.
This study numerically optimizes energy harnessing in vehicle engines using three heat exchanger fin designs: wall to wall, pyramid, and hexagonal. Two thermoelectric generator (TEG) array configurations are compared for electrical power generation. Results show the wall-to-wall fin provides the highest heat transfer, producing 161 W of power from 13 590.53 W of heat. Both TEG configurations generate similar output, with the series offering slightly higher voltage. The flow direction has minimal impact, but increasing the number of heat exchangers boosts efficiency. The total system output reaches 27 763.60 W with a four-parallel exchanger setup and an efficiency of 1.72.
This article focuses on the study of materials used in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and analyzes their properties, advantages, and disadvantages within key components, including electrolytes, anodes, cathodes, and interconnects. Various manufacturing processes and design solutions aimed at enhancing SOFC efficiency and reducing operating temperatures are discussed. The development of new materials and fabrication techniques is crucial to overcoming challenges associated with high-temperature operation, material degradation, and cost reduction, which remain key barriers to widespread commercialization. Particular attention is given to the use of screen printing as a method for forming porous electrode films, which offers high economic efficiency and flexible process parameter control. Screen printing allows for precise deposition of functional layers, ensuring optimal porosity and thickness, which are critical for enhancing electrochemical performance. The study explores the influence of printing parameters on electrode layer properties, an aspect that remains insufficiently researched in the field of SOFCs. A better understanding of these effects can lead to the development of electrodes with improved catalytic activity, mechanical stability, and long-term durability, thereby enhancing the overall performance of SOFCs. Additionally, the study examines two types of starting electrolyte powders: commercially available gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) and scandia-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ-n) synthesized via laser evaporation. A particle size analysis using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method revealed significant size discrepancies, necessitating additional processing. The findings contribute to improving the durability and efficiency of SOFCs while facilitating their scalability for industrial applications. By optimizing materials and fabrication techniques, this study provides valuable insights into the advancement of SOFC technology, paving the way for more reliable, cost-effective, and commercially viable fuel cell systems. Keywords: solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), screen printing, electrolyte materials, electrode fabrication, sintering temperature.
In this study, α-cellulose was extracted from lignocellulosic simpor leaf residue as a sustainable alternative to conventional cellulose sources. The extraction process involved the removal of hemicellulose, lignin, and other phytocompounds using alkali (NaOH) treatment and bleaching with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was isolated from α-cellulose using sulfuric acid hydrolysis treatment followed by ultrasonication. The extracted α-cellulose and isolated NCC were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The obtained results confirmed that the extracted NCC exhibited characteristic cellulose functional groups and a crystallinity index of 64.7%, indicating the effective removal of amorphous regions through sulfuric acid hydrolysis. The thermal stability of the extracted cellulose increased to 332 °C due to the elimination of extractives. DLS analysis showed that the extracted NCC exhibited high colloidal stability in polar solvents, characterized by a zeta potential of −70.8 mV and an average particle size of 251.7 nm. This study highlights an environmentally friendly approach for converting low-value biomass waste into high-value cellulose materials with potential applications in sustainable packaging, biomedical applications and composite reinforcement.
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer high efficiency and fuel adaptability but face challenges like high operating temperatures and material degradation. This study focuses on innovative solutions, including doped ceria-based electrolytes with ionic conductivity of 0.1 S/cm at 600 degrees C, reducing operating temperature by 200 degrees C and extending lifespan by 29.15%. Composite anodes with hierarchical pores achieved a power density of 1.2 W/cm(2) (25% improvement) and maintained stability over 5000 h with <1% degradation per 1000 h. Hybrid integration with micro gas turbines improved efficiency to 69.48% (14.28% increase) and cut CO2 emissions by 21%, advancing SOFC viability as sustainable energy solution.
The growing global demand for reliable and sustainable energy has intensified efforts to develop advanced energy storage technologies. Supercapacitors have emerged as a critical solution due to their high power density, fast charge–discharge rates, and excellent cycle life, making them essential for portable electronics, electric vehicles, and hybrid energy systems. In this study, FeVO4 nanospheres were synthesized via a facile sol–gel combustion method and evaluated as a high-performance negative electrode material for supercapacitor applications. Structural and morphological analyses (XRD, SEM, XPS) confirmed the formation of pure-phase triclinic FeVO4 with well-defined nanostructures and appropriate valence states of Fe and V. Electrochemical investigations, including cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), revealed dominant pseudocapacitive behavior governed by diffusion-controlled redox reactions. The FeVO4 electrode exhibited a remarkable specific capacitance of 928 F g–1 at 1 A g–1 and retained 98.06
The article is devoted to the development and creation of research cells for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) designed to study their characteristics at various temperatures. The primary focus is on the use of high-temperature glass sealants that ensure the hermeticity of the structure. The paper describes the materials and methods for fabricating model fuel cells, including various combinations of electrolytes (YSZ, ScSZ, GDC) and electrodes (NiO, LSM). The design of the research cells incorporates electrochemical sensors, providing precise control over the composition of the gas mixture entering the active zone, with deviations not exceeding 0.5%. The results of current-voltage characteristics of the model SOFCs in the temperature range of 700–950 ℃ showed that an increase in temperature leads to a reduction in ohmic losses and improved kinetics of electrochemical reactions. The maximum power density is achieved at higher current densities with increasing temperature, which is attributed to enhanced material conductivity and improved electrode activity. At lower temperatures, limited cell efficiency is observed due to increased electrolyte resistance and reduced electrode activity. The developed research cells demonstrated high reliability and reproducibility of data, enabling their use in optimizing the material composition and structure of SOFCs. The obtained results confirm the potential of the proposed methodology for the development of highly efficient fuel cells.
The performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) is highly dependent on operating conditions, particularly humidity levels, which significantly affect membrane hydration, ionic conductivity, and overall efficiency. While traditional approaches rely on laboratory experiments to study these effects, this research employs advanced deep learning techniques to model and predict PEMFC performance under varying humidity conditions. In this study, Long Short‐Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) networks, along with attention mechanisms, are used to enhance predictive accuracy and capture complex nonlinear relationships. Numerical simulations conducted in ANSYS Fluent generate a dataset covering five humidity levels (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%), which is used to train and validate the deep learning models. The findings indicate that moderate humidity (40%) yields optimal predictions, with the attention‐based LSTM model achieving the highest accuracy ( R 2 = 0.98, root mean squared error (RMSE) = 0.01). This study shows the potential of proposed models as efficient predictive tools for PEMFC optimization, providing a surrogate to costly and time‐consuming experimental testing. The results also revealed that hydrogen consumption was minimized at 40% humidity, confirming that optimized humidification strategies contribute to both improved efficiency and reduced fuel demand toward sustainability.
Conventional solvents remain the most used media for lignocellulosic biomass valorization. However, these solvents exhibit many limitations and have a negative environmental impact. In the last decade, Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) have emerged as a multifaceted tool in biomass valorization, with a promising perspective in the application of lignocellulosic biomass valorization. DESs have gained attention in the last decade as an alternative solvent in biomass valorization and biorefinery processes due to their high efficiency; eco-friendliness; low cost; and numerous other advantages, such as recyclability, non-volatility, and stability. This paper discusses the latest research on the potential applications of DESs in the valorization of secondary lignocellulosic biomass.
This review examines modern approaches to layer formation in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), focusing on traditional, thin-film, and additive manufacturing methods. A systematic comparison of technologies, including slip casting, screen printing, CVD, PLD, ALD, HiPIMS, inkjet, aerosol, and microextrusion printing, is provided. It is shown that traditional methods remain technologically robust but are limited in their capabilities for miniaturization and interfacial architecture design. Modern thin-film and additive approaches provide high spatial accuracy, improved ion-electron characteristics, and flexibility in the design of multilayer structures; however, they require addressing issues related to scalability, ink stability, interfacial compatibility, and reproducibility. Particular attention is paid to interfacial engineering methods, such as functionally graded layers, nanostructured infiltration, and temperature-controlled 3D printing. Key challenges are discussed, including thermal instability of materials, the limited gas impermeability of ultra-thin electrolytes, and degradation during long-term operation. Development prospects lie in the integration of hybrid methods, the digitalization of deposition processes, and the implementation of intelligent control of printing parameters. The presented analysis forms the basis for further research into the scalable and highly efficient production of next-generation SOFCs designed for low-temperature operation and long-term operation in future energy systems.
Natural hydrogen represents a sustainable and promising energy source that holds the potential to significantly contribute to a low-carbon economy. This article discusses origins, geological distribution, and methods used for detection of natural hydrogen. Through a review of existing literature, the primary sources of natural hydrogen formation have been identified. These include serpentinization, water radiolysis, disaggregation of rock, magma degassing, and weathering of the Earth’s crust. Among these processes, serpentinization is particularly significant as a key phenomenon occurring in mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones. This process involves the interaction of water with divalent iron resulting in the formation of hydrogen. The geographical distribution of natural hydrogen includes oceanic spreading centers, passive margins, subduction zones, faults, and intraplate regions. High concentrations of H₂ are frequently found in tectonically active areas, such as the San Andreas Fault and the Taoudeni Basin. Natural hydrogen can be detected using isotopic analysis and H₂/CH₄ ratios, which help to differentiate between mantle-derived and crustal origins. Despite current limitations in the research and exploration of natural hydrogen deposits, its production could significantly reduce the cost of hydrogen energy and accelerate the transition to sustainable energy. The study emphasizes the necessity for further investigation into the mechanisms of hydrogen generation, accumulation, and migration, as well as the development of extraction technologies. This overview organizes the current understanding of natural hydrogen and serves as a foundation for future scientific and practical advancements in this field.
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer a promising option for efficient clean energy generation, with cathode materials playing a critical role in determining overall cell performance. Doping is an effective strategy employed by various studies to enhance the electrochemical performance of cathode materials in SOFCs. The specific choice of dopant is influenced by several factors, including cost, chemical properties, sustainability, and thermal stability at high temperatures. This review provides a technical analysis of doping effects on various series of cathode materials, including perovskite oxides such as (La,Sr)MnO3, (La,Sr)FeO3, and Ba(Zr,Ni)O3, among others. The present study also investigates how dopants modify lattice cell parameters, oxygen vacancy concentration, and linear thermal elongation behaviour to optimize cathode performance. Doping influence on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics, electrical conductivity, and long-term stability is discussed. Special attention is given to cobalt-free cathode materials to meet sustainability goals. Several dopants employed in cathode materials were compared, and their effects on the electrochemical performance were highlighted. Key insights into the design of next-generation cathode materials with superior performance and durability for SOFC applications were revealed.
This study investigates the hydrogen adsorption performance of activated carbon (AC) derived from rice husks and modified with magnesium and nickel salts. Adsorption isotherms were recorded at 25 °C and 50 °C up to 80 bar, simulating practical storage conditions. The unmodified AC exhibited the highest hydrogen uptake (0.62 wt% at 25 °C), attributed to its high surface area and dominant ultramicroporosity (<0.9 nm). Modifications with Mg and Ni reduced adsorption capacity, likely due to partial pore blockage and decreased surface functionality, as confirmed by FTIR, Raman, and XRD analyses. Despite this, all samples demonstrated stable cyclic adsorption–desorption behavior and consistent isotherm profiles. Hysteresis observed in the modified samples suggests capillary condensation within mesopores. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed the exothermic nature of hydrogen adsorption. Among the modified materials, ACM10 (Mg-modified) exhibited the best performance (0.54 wt%), highlighting the importance of optimizing the metal content. The obtained results indicate that the micropore size distribution and accessible surface functionality critically govern the hydrogen storage capacity, suggesting that unmodified AC is a promising candidate for low-temperature hydrogen storage systems.
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are efficient electrochemical energy device that converts the chemical energy of fuels directly into electricity. It has a high power and energy density and a sustainable source of energy. The electrode (cathode and anode) materials are essential for the efficient operation of SOFCs. Several electrode materials have been studied in the last two decades, mainly perovskite materials. The investigated materials have resulted in improved electrochemical performance of SOFCs, increased commercial viability, and reduced operational costs. However, the sustainability of most of the material compositions (heteroatoms) used as electrodes in SOFCs has never been investigated. The present study examines the recent progress, challenges, and constraints associated with electrode material development in SOFCs from a sustainable perspective. Heteroatoms majorly employed for doping in electrode materials’ long-term availability on the earth’s surface was established. The study also provides an overview on the current state of electrode materials development for symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells. This is intended to address the complexities of different materials development for the anode and cathode
The paper presents the results of experiments on measuring cross-sections for the neutron transfer channels 9Be(3He, α)8Begs,3.03 in the reaction of the 3He (30 MeV) ions with the 9Be target. To describe the angular distributions, we use the Distorted Wave Born Approximation (DWBA) applying the FRESCO code. The results of the theoretical analysis are in agreement with the experimental data. In addition, we perform calculations based on the solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE) for the weakly bound neutron of the 9Be nucleus. The TDSE approach allows us to determine the dynamics of the neutron transfer process and calculate the probabilities for the transfer and removal of the neutron of the 9Be nucleus in the 3He + 9Be reaction.
The present study is devoted to the fabrication of an anode supported microtubular solid oxide fuel cell (MTSOFC) by co -sintering of polymer -ceramic films set. The investigation of the influence of the granulometric composition of Zr0.84Y0.16O2-delta (YSZ), Ce0.73Gd0.27O2-delta (GDC) powders and NiO/YSZ, NiO/GDC composites on the kinetics of their sintering made it possible to obtain a defect -free half -cell of anode supporting layer (NiO/YSZ)anode functional layer (NiO/GDC) - YSZ electrolyte in a single sintering act at 1200 degrees C. The influence of a pore former (rice starch) on the microstructure of the anode supporting layer was studied. It was shown that the addition of 5 wt% pore former results in an increase of the porosity and gas permeability of the layer by -1.6 and -4 times, respectively. Layers of the second GDC electrolyte and La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-delta (LSCF) cathode were applied sequentially by dip -coating and painting and were sintering at 1450 and 1200 degrees C, respectively. The maximum specific power of the obtained MT-SOFC at 850 degrees C was 184 mW/cm2.