Records |
Author |
Lizin, S.; Van Passel, S.; De Schepper, E.; Maes, W.; Lutsen, L.; Manca, J.; Vanderzande, D. |
Title |
Life cycle analyses of organic photovoltaics : a review |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2013 |
Publication |
Energy & Environmental Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Energ Environ Sci |
Volume |
6 |
Issue |
11 |
Pages |
3136-3149 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM) |
Abstract |
This paper reviews the available life cycle analysis (LCA) literature on organic photovoltaics (OPVs). This branch of OPV research has focused on the environmental impact of single-junction bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells using a P3HT/PC60BM active layer blend processed on semi-industrial pilot lines in ambient surroundings. The environmental impact was found to be strongly decreasing through continuous innovation of the manufacturing procedures. The current top performing cell regarding environmental performance has a cumulative energy demand of 37.58 MJp m(-2) and an energy payback time in the order of months for cells having 2% efficiency, thereby rendering OPV cells one of the best performing PV technologies from an environmental point of view. Nevertheless, we find that LCA literature is lagging behind on the main body of OPV literature due to the lack of readily available input data. Still, LCA research has led us to believe that in the quest for higher efficiencies, environmental sustainability is being disregarded on the materials' side. Hence, we advise the scientific community to take the progress made on environmental sustainability aspects of OPV preparations into account not only because standard procedures put a bigger strain on the environment, but also because these methods may not be transferrable to an industrial process. Consequently, we recommend policy makers to subsidize research that bridges the gaps between fundamental materials research, stability, and scalability given that these constraints have to be fulfilled simultaneously if OPVs are ever to be successful on the market. Additionally, environmental sustainability will have to keep on being monitored to steer future developments in the right direction. |
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Wos |
000325946400002 |
Publication Date |
2013-10-11 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1754-5692; 1754-5706 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links ![sorted by Additional Links field, ascending order (up)](img/sort_asc.gif) |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
29.518 |
Times cited |
124 |
Open Access |
|
Notes |
; The authors are much obliged to both the INTERREG ORGAN-EXT project and FP7 MOLESOL project for their financial support, without which it would have been impossible to conduct this research. ; |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 29.518; 2013 IF: 15.490 |
Call Number |
UA @ admin @ c:irua:127548 |
Serial |
6223 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Snoeckx, R.; Heijkers, S.; Van Wesenbeeck, K.; Lenaerts, S.; Bogaerts, A. |
Title |
CO2conversion in a dielectric barrier discharge plasma: N2in the mix as a helping hand or problematic impurity? |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2016 |
Publication |
Energy & environmental science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Energ Environ Sci |
Volume |
9 |
Issue |
9 |
Pages |
999-1011 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL) |
Abstract |
Carbon dioxide conversion and utilization has gained significant interest over the years. A novel gas conversion technique with great potential in this area is plasma technology. A lot of research has already been performed, but mostly on pure gases. In reality, N2 will always be an important impurity in effluent
gases. Therefore, we performed an extensive combined experimental and computational study on the effect of N2 in the range of 1–98% on CO2 splitting in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma. The presence of up to 50% N2 in the mixture barely influences the effective (or overall) CO2 conversion and energy efficiency, because the N2 metastable molecules enhance the absolute CO2 conversion, and this compensates for the lower CO2 fraction in the mixture. Higher N2 fractions, however, cause a drop in the CO2 conversion and energy efficiency. Moreover, in the entire CO2/N2 mixing ratio, several harmful compounds, i.e., N2O and NOx compounds, are produced in the range of several 100 ppm. The reaction pathways for the formation of these compounds are explained based on a kinetic analysis, which allows proposing solutions on how to prevent the formation of these harmful compounds. |
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Wos |
000372243600030 |
Publication Date |
2015-12-15 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1754-5692 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links ![sorted by Additional Links field, ascending order (up)](img/sort_asc.gif) |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
29.518 |
Times cited |
68 |
Open Access |
|
Notes |
The authors acknowledge financial support from the IAP/7 (Inter-university Attraction Pole) program ‘PSI-Physical Chemistry of Plasma-Surface Interactions’, financially supported by the Belgian Federal Office for Science Policy (BELSPO), as well as the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO). This work was carried out in part using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen, a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the University of Antwerp. |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 29.518 |
Call Number |
c:irua:133169 |
Serial |
4020 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Kertik, A.; Wee, L.H.; Pfannmöller, M.; Bals, S.; Martens, J.A.; Vankelecom, I.F.J. |
Title |
Highly selective gas separation membrane using in situ amorphised metal-organic frameworks |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2017 |
Publication |
Energy & environmental science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Energ Environ Sci |
Volume |
10 |
Issue |
10 |
Pages |
2342-2351 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT) |
Abstract |
Conventional carbon dioxide (CO2) separation in the petrochemical industry via cryogenic distillation is energy intensive and environmentally unfriendly. Alternatively, polymer membrane-based separations are of significant interest owing to low production cost, low-energy consumption and ease of upscaling. However, the implementation of commercial polymeric membranes is limited by their permeability and selectivity trade-off and the insufficient thermal and chemical stability. Herein, a novel type of amorphous mixed matrix membrane (MMM) able to separate CO2/CH4 mixtures with the highest selectivities ever reported for MOF based MMMs is presented. The MMM consists of an amorphised metal-organic framework (MOF) dispersed in an oxidatively cross-linked matrix achieved by fine tuning of the thermal treatment temperature in air up to 350 degrees C which drastically boosts the separation properties of the MMM. Thanks to the protection of the surrounding polymer, full oxidation of this MOF (i.e. ZIF-8) is prevented, and amorphisation of the MOF is realized instead, thus in situ creating a molecular sieve network. In addition, the treatment also improves the filler-polymer adhesion and induces an oxidative cross-linking of the polyimide matrix, resulting in MMMs with increased stability or plasticization resistance at high pressure up to 40 bar, marking a new milestone as new molecular sieve MOF MMMs for challenging natural gas purification applications. A new field for the use of amorphised MOFs and a variety of separation opportunities for such MMMs are thus opened. |
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Wos |
000414774500007 |
Publication Date |
2017-08-09 |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1754-5692; 1754-5706 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links ![sorted by Additional Links field, ascending order (up)](img/sort_asc.gif) |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
29.518 |
Times cited |
122 |
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
Notes |
; A.K. acknowledges financial support from the Erasmus-Mundus Doctorate in Membrane Engineering (EUDIME) Programme. L.H.W. thanks the FWO-Vlaanderen for a postdoctoral research fellowship (12M1415N). M. P. acknowledges financial support by the FP7 European project SUNFLOWER (FP7 #287594). S. B. acknowledges financial support from European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant # 335078-COLOURATOMS). J. A. M. gratefully acknowledges financial supports from the Flemish Government for long-term Methusalem funding. J. A. M. and I. F. J. V. acknowledge the Belgian Government for IAP-PAI networking. A. K. would also like to thank Frank Mathijs for the mechanical tests, Roy Bernstein for the XPS analysis and Lien Telen and Bart Goderis for the DSC measurements. We thank Verder Scientific Benelux for providing the service of ZIF-8 ball milling. ; ecas_sara |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 29.518 |
Call Number |
UA @ lucian @ c:irua:147399UA @ admin @ c:irua:147399 |
Serial |
4879 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Van Hoecke, L.; Laffineur, L.; Campe, R.; Perreault, P.; Verbruggen, S.W.; Lenaerts, S. |
Title |
Challenges in the use of hydrogen for maritime applications |
Type |
A1 Journal Article;Review article, Hydrogen Production, Hydrogen Storage, Maritime Applications |
Year |
2021 |
Publication |
Energy & Environmental Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Energ Environ Sci |
Volume |
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Issue |
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Pages |
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Keywords |
A1 Journal Article;Review article, Hydrogen Production, Hydrogen Storage, Maritime Applications; Sustainable energy, air and water technology (DuEL) |
Abstract |
Maritime shipping is a key factor that enables the global economy, however the pressure it exerts on the environment is increasing rapidly. In order to reduce the emissions of harmful greenhouse gasses, the search is on for alternative fuels for the maritime shipping industry. In this work the usefulness of hydrogen and hydrogen carriers is being investigated as a fuel for sea going ships. Due to the low volumetric energy density of hydrogen under standard conditions, the need for efficient storage of this fuel is high. Key processes in the use of hydrogen are discussed, starting with the production of hydrogen from fossil and renewable sources. The focus of this review is different storage methods, and in this work we discuss the storage of hydrogen at high pressure, in liquefied form at cryogenic temperatures and bound to liquid or solid-state carriers. In this work a theoretical introduction to different hydrogen storage methods precedes an analysis of the energy-efficiency and practical storage density of the carriers. In the final section the major challenges and hurdles for the development of hydrogen storage for the maritime industry are discussed. The most likely challenges will be the development of a new bunkering infrastructure and suitable monitoring of the safety to ensure safe operation of these hydrogen carriers on board the ship. |
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Wos |
000621101100009 |
Publication Date |
2021-01-07 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1754-5692 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links ![sorted by Additional Links field, ascending order (up)](img/sort_asc.gif) |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
29.518 |
Times cited |
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Open Access |
OpenAccess |
Notes |
For the completion of this work we would like to thank, Compagnie Maritime Belge for initial funding 9 of the research into maritime hydrogen storage and the University of Antwerp for funding of the 10 Doctoral Project that allowed for the completion of this work. |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 29.518 |
Call Number |
DuEL @ duel @c:irua:174754 |
Serial |
6668 |
Permanent link to this record |
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Author |
Rouwenhorst, K.H.R.; Jardali, F.; Bogaerts, A.; Lefferts, L. |
Title |
From the Birkeland–Eyde process towards energy-efficient plasma-based NOXsynthesis: a techno-economic analysis |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2021 |
Publication |
Energy & Environmental Science |
Abbreviated Journal |
Energ Environ Sci |
Volume |
14 |
Issue |
5 |
Pages |
2520-2534 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT) |
Abstract |
Plasma-based NO<sub>X</sub>synthesis<italic>via</italic>the Birkeland–Eyde process was one of the first industrial nitrogen fixation methods. However, this technology never played a dominant role for nitrogen fixation, due to the invention of the Haber–Bosch process. Recently, nitrogen fixation by plasma technology has gained significant interest again, due to the emergence of low cost, renewable electricity. We first present a short historical background of plasma-based NO<sub>X</sub>synthesis. Thereafter, we discuss the reported performance for plasma-based NO<sub>X</sub>synthesis in various types of plasma reactors, along with the current understanding regarding the reaction mechanisms in the plasma phase, as well as on a catalytic surface. Finally, we benchmark the plasma-based NO<sub>X</sub>synthesis process with the electrolysis-based Haber–Bosch process combined with the Ostwald process, in terms of the investment cost and energy consumption. This analysis shows that the energy consumption for NO<sub>X</sub>synthesis with plasma technology is almost competitive with the commercial process with its current best value of 2.4 MJ mol N<sup>−1</sup>, which is required to decrease further to about 0.7 MJ mol N<sup>−1</sup>in order to become fully competitive. This may be accomplished through further plasma reactor optimization and effective plasma–catalyst coupling. |
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Wos |
000639255800001 |
Publication Date |
2021-03-31 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
1754-5692 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links ![sorted by Additional Links field, ascending order (up)](img/sort_asc.gif) |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
29.518 |
Times cited |
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Open Access |
OpenAccess |
Notes |
H2020 European Research Council; Horizon 2020, 810182 ; Ministerie van Economische Zaken en Klimaat; This research was supported by the TKI-Energie from Toeslag voor Topconsortia voor Kennis en Innovatie (TKI) from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, the Excellence of Science FWO-FNRS project (FWO grant ID GoF9618n, EOS ID 30505023), and the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 810182 – SCOPE ERC Synergy project). |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 29.518 |
Call Number |
PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:178173 |
Serial |
6763 |
Permanent link to this record |