“Exhaust composition of a small diesel engine”. Smits M, Vanpachtenbeke F, Hauchecorne B, van Langenhove H, Demeestere K, Lenaerts S, Communications in agricultural and applied biological sciences 77, 85 (2012)
Keywords: A2 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
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“FT-IR characterization of tin dioxide gas sensor materials under working conditions”. Lenaerts S, Roggen J, Maes G, Spectrochimica acta: part A: molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy 51, 883 (1995). http://doi.org/10.1016/0584-8539(94)01216-4
Abstract: In this work self-supporting tin dioxide disks are characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy in the presence of a reducing gas in air, and in different O2/N2 mixtures at temperatures varying from room temperature up to 450°C. Every factor inducing a change in the oxygen content of the gas atmosphere above the tin dioxide, as for instance a temperature change, a surface reaction or adsorption of another species, induces a broad, intense IR absorption band with discrete weak bands superimposed on it. This broad absorption is assigned to the electronic transition from a native donor level, the oxygen vacancy in the bulk of the domain, to the conduction band of the tin dioxide material. For the interpretation of the narrow, superimposed absorptions, two hypotheses remain. The results demonstrate that FT-IR spectroscopy is an extremely suitable technique for the characterization of semiconducting metal oxide sensors, since it allows to follow in situ the processes in the bulk, at the surface and in the surrounding gas atmosphere of the sensor material at working temperature as well as in the presence of reducing gases in air.
Keywords: A1 Journal article
DOI: 10.1016/0584-8539(94)01216-4
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“Immobilisation of TiO2 into self-supporting photocatalytic foam : influence of acidity on porosity and light penetration”. Tytgat T, Lenaerts S, (2012)
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
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“In situ infrared and electrical characterization of tin dioxide gas sensors in nitrogen/oxygen mixtures at temperatures up to 720 K”. Lenaerts S, Honoré, M, Huyberechts G, Roggen J, Maes G, Sensors and actuators : B : chemical 19, 478 (1994). http://doi.org/10.1016/0925-4005(93)01048-9
Abstract: FT-IR spectroscopy and impedance measurements of tin dioxide sensor materials at working temperatures up to 450 °C in atmospheres with varying O2/N2 ratio are used as an in situ probe to study the interactions at the surface of the semiconducting oxide. Every diminution in the oxygen content above the sample induces a broad IR absorption band (X-band) between 2300700 cm−1 with a few small peaks in the 1400850 cm−1 region of the spectrum superimposed on it. The X-band results from the enchanced electron concentration in the bulk of the tin dioxide domain. The fine structure is due to the absorption of several kinds of surface oxygen species associated vibration modes. The porous tin dioxide consists of domains were the outward shell is depleted of electrons by the formation of adsorbed O− species on oxygen surface sites, SO(O− species. In our proposed model for the impedance data this gives rise to a parallel RpCp circuit for the domain boundary characteristics and to an Rs parameter for the intradomain resistance. The evolution of these IR and impedance spectroscopic effects with temperature and oxygen content is used to set up, to confirm and refine a physicochemical operation model of tin dioxide gas sensor. This model consists of a sensitizing reaction sequence in the presence of oxygen and a gas-detection reaction sequence when a reducing gas is present. Based on this model, the principal disadvantages of this type of gas sensor become clear. Every factor that influences the concentration of SO(O−) species, causes a conductance modification. If we can control and direct the nature, the number and the arrangement of the tin dioxide domains, a directed development and improvement of the sensor characteristics is possible.
Keywords: A1 Journal article
DOI: 10.1016/0925-4005(93)01048-9
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“In situ study of the parameters quantifying the corrosion in ballast tanks and an evaluation of improving alternative”. de Baere K, Verstraelen H, Lemmens L, Lenaerts S, Potters G, (2011)
Abstract: An in situ study of more than 100 ballast tanks of merchant marine vessels looks to the corrosion process in these tanks from another perspective. The developed corrosion model shows major similarities with earlier studies based on laboratory experiments. The field work exposes the influence of ship construction parameters such as land of construction, coating type and the presence of sacrificial anodes on the corrosion process in the ballast tanks. Possible alternatives for vessels constructed with ordinary grade A steel and coated according to IMO PSPC standards are presented, even though further research is required to come to final conclusions.
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
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“Integration of a photocatalytic coating in a corona discharge unit for plasma assisted catalysis”. Van Wesenbeeck K, Hauchecorne B, Lenaerts S, Journal of environmental solutions 2, 16 (2013)
Abstract: The combination of a non-thermal plasma with catalysis is considered as a sustainable indoor air purification technology to achieve complete oxidation at reduced energy cost with a longer electrode lifetime. An optimal window of operation for plasma assisted catalysis is found by varying the polarity, the applied voltage, the relative humidity of the gas phase and the configuration of the plasma reactor. The results show that, in general, negative corona discharge can obtain higher nitric oxide (NO) conversion efficiencies compared to positive corona. It is also clear that at higher applied voltages, higher conversion efficiency can be reached. The effect of relative humidity, however, is not found to be significant in the range (0 20.3 %) tested in this work. Additionally, the configuration of the plasma reactor is changed by varying the amount of pins that are attached at the collector electrode. The results show that there is an optimum at 10 pairs of pins to obtain a high conversion efficiency of NO. By applying a coating on the collector electrode of the plasma reactor, it is possible to see the influence of the coating on the performance of the plasma system, which was operating in the previously found optimal window. It stands clear that the use of a plasma assisted catalysis system has high potential as an integrated and sustainable indoor air purification technology.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
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“Plasma assisted catalysis : an efficient and sustainable indoor air purification technology”. Van Wesenbeeck K, Hauchecorne B, Lenaerts S, (2012)
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
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“Plasma catalysis : integration of a photocatalytic coating in a corona discharge unit”. Van Wesenbeeck K, Hauchecorne B, Lenaerts S, (2013)
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
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“Plasmacatalysis : a sustainable and efficient indoor air treatment”. Van Wesenbeeck K, Hauchecorne B, Lenaerts S, (2015)
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
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“Pyrolysis kinetics of bamboo material”. Potters G, Schoeters G, Tytgat T, Horvath G, Ludecke C, Cool P, Lenaerts S, Appels L, Dewil R, (2010)
Keywords: P3 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
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Hauchecorne B, Tytgat T, Terrens D, Vanpachtenbeke F, Lenaerts S (2011) Reaction chamber for studying a solid-gas interaction : PCT/EP2011/051075
Keywords: Patent; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
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“Study of a TiO2 photocatalytic coating for use in plasma catalysis”. Van Wesenbeeck K, Hauchecorne B, Lenaerts S, Communications in agricultural and applied biological sciences 78, 227 (2013)
Keywords: A2 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
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“Synthesis and characterization of tin dioxide powders for the realization of thick-film gas sensors”. Honoré, M, Lenaerts S, Desmet J, Huyberechts G, Roggen J, Sensors and actuators : B : chemical 19, 621 (1994). http://doi.org/10.1016/0925-4005(93)01224-R
Abstract: Semiconductor gas sensors produced with screen-printing techniques and based on home-made tin dioxide inks are presented. The ink consists of home-made tin dioxide powder added to a polymer solution to make it screen printable on 96% alumina substrates. The major work is performed on the preparation and the characterization of pure undoped tin dioxide powder produced by two different synthetic pathways. Inks prepared with powders from each method are consecutively handled in an identical way to obtain gas sensors. The sensor response towards different gases is measured and compared for both types of starting materials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article
DOI: 10.1016/0925-4005(93)01224-R
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“CO2 capture initiatives : are governments, society, industry and the financial sector ready?”.Perreault P, Kummamuru NB, Gonzalez Quiroga A, Lenaerts S, Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering 38, 100874 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.COCHE.2022.100874
Abstract: The deployment of CCUS plants does not match the enormous requirements to meet the CO2 emission reductions fixed during the Paris agreement, and we must ask ourselves what is refraining the technology deployment, especially in light of the recent high CO2 prices. Owing to the higher costs than their fossil counterparts, Carbon Capture & Utilization represents a long-term solution. In addition to a gigantic scale-up effort even for the most mature Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) technologies, various factors are responsible for the slow roll-out of CCS projects. Luckily, the financial sector and governments are playing their role. Support from the public is however key, and an open communication is required to convert social tolerance into social acceptance.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 6.6
DOI: 10.1016/J.COCHE.2022.100874
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“Experimental investigation of methane hydrate formation in the presence of metallic packing”. Kummamuru NB, Verbruggen SW, Lenaerts S, Perreault P, Fuel 323, 124269 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.FUEL.2022.124269
Abstract: Clathrate hydrates gained significant attention as a viable option for large-scale storage of natural gas, primarily methane (CH4). Unlike employing the nanoconfinement for enhancing the nucleation sites and hydrate growth as in the porous materials, whose synthesis is often associated with high costs and poor batch reproducibility, a new approach for promoting CH4 hydrates using pure water (H2O) in an unstirred reactor packed with stainless steel beads (SSB) was proposed in this fundamental work, where the interstitial space between the beads was exploited for enhanced hydrate growth. SSB of two diameters, 5 mm and 2 mm, were used as. a packed bed to investigate their effects on CH4 hydrate formation at 273.65 K, 275.65 K, and 277.65 K with an initial pressure of 6 MPa. The thermal conductivity of SSB packing potentially aided hydrate growth by expelling the hydration heat, while, the results also revealed that driving force has a substantial impact on the rate of CH4 hydrate formation and gas uptake. The experiments conducted in both 5 mm and 2 mm SSB packed bed reactors showed a maximum gas uptake of 0.147 mol CH4/mol H2O at 273.65 K with water to hydrate conversion of 84.42% with no significant variation. The results established the promotion effect on the kinetics of CH4 hydrate formation in the unstirred reactor packed with 2 mm SSB due to the availability of more interstitial space offering multiple nucleation sites for CH4 hydrate by providing a larger specific surface area for H2O-CH4 reaction. Experiments with varying H2O content were also performed and the results showed that the water to hydrate conversion and rate of hydrate formation could be enhanced at a lower H2O content in a packed bed reactor. This study demonstrates that the use of costly or intricate porous materials can be made redundant, by exploiting the interstitial voids in packing of cheap and widely available SSB as a promising alternative material for enhancing the kinetics of artificial CH4 hydrate synthesis.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 7.4
DOI: 10.1016/J.FUEL.2022.124269
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“Hierarchical design in nanoporous metals”. Ying J, Lenaerts S, Symes MD, Yang X-Y, Advanced Science 9, 2106117 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1002/ADVS.202106117
Abstract: Hierarchically porous metals possess intriguing high accessibility of matter molecules and unique continuous metallic frameworks, as well as a high level of exposed active atoms. High rates of diffusion and fast energy transfer have been important and challenging goals of hierarchical design and porosity control with nanostructured metals. This review aims to summarize recent important progress toward the development of hierarchically porous metals, with special emphasis on synthetic strategies, hierarchical design in structure-function and corresponding applications. The current challenges and future prospects in this field are also discussed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 15.1
DOI: 10.1002/ADVS.202106117
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“Influence of adding low concentration of oxygenates in mineral diesel oil and biodiesel on the concentration of NO, NO₂, and particulate matter in the exhaust gas of a one-cylinder diesel generator”. Maes RR, Potters G, Fransen E, Van Schaeren R, Lenaerts S, International journal of environmental research and public health 19, 7637 (2022). http://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH19137637
Abstract: Air quality currently poses a major risk to human health worldwide. Transportation is one of the principal contributors to air pollution due to the quality of exhaust gases. For example, the widely used diesel fuel is a significant source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). To reduce the content NOx and PM, different oxygenated compounds were mixed into a mineral diesel available at the pump, and their effect on the composition of exhaust gas emissions was measured using a one-cylinder diesel generator. In this setup, adding methanol gave the best relative results. The addition of 2000 ppm of methanol decreased the content of NO by 56%, 2000 ppm of isopropanol decreased NO2 by 50%, and 2000 ppm ethanol decreased PM by 63%. An interesting question is whether it is possible to reduce the impact of hazardous components in the exhaust gas even more by adding oxygenates to biodiesels. In this article, alcohol is added to biodiesel in order to establish the impact on PM and NOx concentrations in the exhaust gases. Adding methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol at concentrations of 2000 ppm and 4000 ppm did not improve NOx emissions. The best results were using pure RME for a low NO content, pure diesel for a low NO2 content, and for PM there were no statistically significant differences.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.3390/IJERPH19137637
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“Photocatalytic soot degradation under UV and visible light”. Van Hal M, Lenaerts S, Verbruggen SW, Environmental Science and Pollution Research , 1 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1007/S11356-022-23804-0
Abstract: Particulate matter is one of the most persistent global air pollutants that is causing health problems, climate disturbance and building deterioration. A sustainable technique that is able to degrade soot using (sun)light is photocatalysis. Currently, research on photocatalytic soot oxidation focusses on large band gap TiO2-based photocatalysts and thus requires the use of UV light. It would prove useful if visible light, and thus a larger fraction of the (freely available) solar spectrum, could additionally be utilised to drive this process. In this work, a visible light-active photocatalyst, WO3, is benchmarked to TiO2 under both UV and visible light. At the same time, the versatility and drastic improvement of a recently introduced digital image-based soot degradation detection method are demonstrated. An additional step correcting for non-soot related catalyst colour changes is applied, resulting in accurate detection and quantification of soot degradation for all studied photocatalysts, even for materials such as WO3 that are inherently coloured. With this study, we aim to broaden the scope of photocatalytic soot oxidation technology to visible light-active photocatalyst. Along with this study, we provide a versatile soot degradation detection methodology based on digital image analysis that is made widely applicable.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology
Impact Factor: 5.8
DOI: 10.1007/S11356-022-23804-0
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“Stoichiometry design in hierarchical CoNiFe phosphide for highly efficient water oxidation”. Chen J, Ying J, Xiao Y, Dong Y, Ozoemena K I, Lenaerts S, Yang X, Science China : materials 65, 2685 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1007/S40843-022-2061-X
Abstract: Rational composition design of trimetallic phosphide catalysts is of significant importance for enhanced surface reaction and efficient catalytic performance. Herein, hierarchical CoxNiyFezP with precise control of stoichiometric metallic elements (x:y:z = (1-10):(1-10):1) has been synthesized, and Co1.3Ni0.5Fe0.2P, as the most optimal composition, exhibits remarkable catalytic activity (eta = 320 mV at 10 mA cm(-2)) and long-term stability (ignorable decrease after 10 h continuous test at the current density of 10 mA cm(-2)) toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER). It is found that the surface P in Co1.3Ni0.5Fe0.2P was replaced by 0 under the OER process. The density function theory calculations before and after long-term stability tests suggest the clear increasing of the density of states near the Fermi level of Co1.3Ni0.5Fe0.2P/ Co1.3Ni0.5Fe0.2O, which could enhance the OH- adsorption of our electrocatalysts and the corresponding OER performance.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 8.1
DOI: 10.1007/S40843-022-2061-X
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“Benchmarking the photocatalytic self-cleaning activity of industrial and experimental materials with ISO 27448:2009”. Peeters H, Lenaerts S, Verbruggen SW, Materials 16, 1119 (2023). http://doi.org/10.3390/MA16031119
Abstract: Various industrial surface materials are tested for their photocatalytic self-cleaning activity by performing the ISO 27448:2009 method. The samples are pre-activated by UV irradiation, fouled with oleic acid and irradiated by UV light. The degradation of oleic acid over time is monitored by taking water contact angle measurements using a contact angle goniometer. The foulant, oleic acid, is an organic acid that makes the surface more hydrophobic. The water contact angle will thus decrease over time as the photocatalytic material degrades the oleic acid. In this study, we argue that the use of this method is strongly limited to specific types of surface materials, i.e., only those that are hydrophilic and smooth in nature. For more hydrophobic materials, the difference in the water contact angles of a clean surface and a fouled surface is not measurable. Therefore, the photocatalytic self-cleaning activity cannot be established experimentally. Another type of material that cannot be tested by this standard are rough surfaces. For rough surfaces, the water contact angle cannot be measured accurately using a contact angle goniometer as prescribed by the standard. Because of these limitations, many potentially interesting industrial substrates cannot be evaluated. Smooth samples that were treated with an in-house developed hydrophilic titania thin film (PCT/EP2018/079983) showed a great photocatalytic self-cleaning performance according to the ISO standard. Apart from discussing the pros and cons of the current ISO standard, we also stress how to carefully interpret the results and suggest alternative testing solutions.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology
Impact Factor: 3.4
DOI: 10.3390/MA16031119
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“Recent trends in plasmon‐assisted photocatalytic CO₂, reduction”. Ciocarlan R-G, Blommaerts N, Lenaerts S, Cool P, Verbruggen SW, Chemsuschem 16, e202201647 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1002/CSSC.202201647
Abstract: Direct photocatalytic reduction of CO2 has become an highly active field of research. It is thus of utmost importance to maintain an overview of the various materials used to sustain this process, find common trends, and, in this way, eventually improve the current conversions and selectivities. In particular, CO2 photoreduction using plasmonic photocatalysts under solar light has gained tremendous attention, and a wide variety of materials has been developed to reduce CO2 towards more practical gases or liquid fuels (CH4, CO, CH3OH/CH3CH2OH) in this manner. This Review therefore aims at providing insights in current developments of photocatalysts consisting of only plasmonic nanoparticles and semiconductor materials. By classifying recent studies based on product selectivity, this Review aims to unravel common trends that can provide effective information on ways to improve the photoreduction yield or possible means to shift the selectivity towards desired products, thus generating new ideas for the way forward.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA)
Impact Factor: 8.4
DOI: 10.1002/CSSC.202201647
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“A new generalized empirical correlation for predicting methane hydrate equilibrium conditions in pure water”. Kummamuru NB, Perreault P, Lenaerts S, Industrial &, Engineering Chemistry Research 60, 3474 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.IECR.0C05833
Abstract: This work contributes to a new generalized empirical correlation for predicting methane (CH4) hydrate equilibrium conditions in pure water. Unlike the conventional thermodynamic approach that involves complex reckoning, the proposed empirical equation is developed by regressing 215 experimental data points from the literature and validating with 45 data points for predicting methane hydrate equilibrium conditions in pure water. The new correlation is proposed for a temperature and pressure range of 273.2–303.48 K and 2.63–72.26 MPa, respectively. The accuracy and performance of the proposed correlation is quantitatively evaluated using statistical error analysis. The proposed correlation was able to estimate CH4 hydrate equilibrium conditions satisfactorily with an R2 of 0.99987. The overall error analysis for the proposed correlation shows fair agreement with the experimental data reported within the literature. Concurrently, the new correlation showed better performance in predicting equilibrium conditions compared to those calculated by other empirical correlations available in the literature within the investigated range. In addition, the proposed empirical equation is also checked to evaluate its efficacy in fitting each set of experimental binary/ternary methane hydrates (BTMH) and binary hydrogen hydrates (BHH) for an accurate representation of equilibrium data over a wide range of composition, pressure, and temperature conditions. A maximum percentage deviation of 0.58% and 0.24% was observed between experimental and calculated equilibrium conditions for BTMH and BHH, respectively.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 2.843
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.IECR.0C05833
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“Finding the optimal fatty acid composition for biodiesel improving the emissions of a one-cylinder diesel generator”. Maes RR, Potters G, Fransen E, Cayetano FC, Van Schaeren R, Lenaerts S, Sustainability 13, 12089 (2021). http://doi.org/10.3390/SU132112089
Abstract: Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) currently are the main pollutants emitted by diesel engines. While there is a start in using hybrid and electric cars, ships will still be fueled by mineral oil products. In the quest to achieve zero-pollution and carbon-free shipping, alternative forms of energy carriers must be found to replace the commonly used mineral oil products. One of the possible alternative fuels is biodiesel. This paper explores the optimization of the composition of biodiesel in order to reduce the concentration of particulate matter and NOx in exhaust gases of a one-cylinder diesel generator.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 1.789
DOI: 10.3390/SU132112089
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“Gas phase photofuel cell consisting of WO₃- and TiO₂-photoanodes and an air-exposed cathode for simultaneous air purification and electricity generation”. Van Hal M, Campos R, Lenaerts S, De Wael K, Verbruggen SW, Applied Catalysis B-Environmental 292, 120204 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.APCATB.2021.120204
Abstract: Research has shown the potential of photofuel cells (PFCs) for waste water treatment, enabling the (partial) recovery of the energy released from the degraded compounds as electricity. Literature on PFCs targeting air pollution on the other hand is extremely scarce. In this work an autonomously operating air purification device targeting sustainable electricity generation is presented. Knowledge on gas phase operation of PFCs was gathered by combining photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical measurements, both for TiO2 and WO3-based photocatalysts. While TiO2-based photocatalysts performed better in direct photocatalytic experiments, they were outperformed by WO3-based photoanodes in all-gas-phase PFC operation. Not only do WO3-based photocatalysts generate the highest steady state photocurrent, they also achieved the highest fuel-to-electricity conversion (>65 %). The discrepancies between gas phase photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical processes highlight the difference in driving material properties. This study serves as a proof-of-concept towards development of an autonomous, low-cost and widely applicable waste gas-to-electricity PFC device.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 9.446
DOI: 10.1016/J.APCATB.2021.120204
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“Hydrogen clathrates : next generation hydrogen storage materials”. Gupta A, Baron GV, Perreault P, Lenaerts S, Ciocarlan R-G, Cool P, Mileo PGM, Rogge S, Van Speybroeck V, Watson G, Van Der Voort P, Houlleberghs M, Breynaert E, Martens J, Denayer JFM, Energy Storage Materials 41, 69 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENSM.2021.05.044
Abstract: Extensive research has been carried on the molecular adsorption in high surface area materials such as carbonaceous materials and MOFs as well as atomic bonded hydrogen in metals and alloys. Clathrates stand among the ones to be recently suggested for hydrogen storage. Although, the simulations predict lower capacity than the expected by the DOE norms, the additional benefits of clathrates such as low production and operational cost, fully reversible reaction, environmentally benign nature, low risk of flammability make them one of the most promising materials to be explored in the next decade. The inherent ability to tailor the properties of clathrates using techniques such as addition of promoter molecules, use of porous supports and formation of novel reverse micelles morphology provide immense scope customisation and growth. As rapidly evolving materials, clathrates promise to get as close as possible in the search of “holy grail” of hydrogen storage. This review aims to provide the audience with the background of the current developments in the solid-state hydrogen storage materials, with a special focus on the hydrogen clathrates. The in-depth analysis of the hydrogen clathrates will be provided beginning from their discovery, various additives utilised to enhance their thermodynamic and kinetic properties, challenges in the characterisation of hydrogen in clathrates, theoretical developments to justify the experimental findings and the upscaling opportunities presented by this system. The review will present state of the art in the field and also provide a global picture for the path forward.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENSM.2021.05.044
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“A core-shell confined Pd@TS-1 @meso-SiO2 catalyst and its synergy effect on styrene oxidation”. Wang Y-T, Wu S-M, Luo G-Q, Tian G, Wang L-Y, Xiao S-T, Wu J-X, Wu A, Wu K-J, Lenaerts S, Yang X-Y, Applied catalysis : A : general 650, 119016 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.APCATA.2022.119016
Abstract: Dual active sites from acidic zeolite and Pd are not only capable of catalyzing multiple type of reactions, but could also generate unique functions owing to the synergy between metals and acidic sites. However, there are only a few reports on the investigation of the synergy of acid/Pd dual sites in TS-1. Herein, TS-1 confined Pd catalyst with mesoporous silica shell (Pd@TS-1 @meso-SiO2) has been successfully synthesized and its synergy effect contributes to the enhanced conversion rate (19.2%) and selectivity (74.7%) on styrene oxidation. The interaction between Pd and TS-1 has been investigated by EPR and 1H NMR techniques, the experimental measurements show an obvious change in the signal distribution of weakly acidic terminal hydroxyls and hydrogen-bonding silanols. The schematic illustration of selective styrene oxidation in the model of Pd@TS-1 @meso-SiO2 is proposed to clarify the synergistic effect on styrene oxidation between TS-1 and Pd nanoparticles at an atomic-/nanoscale.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 5.5
DOI: 10.1016/J.APCATA.2022.119016
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“Can we find an optimal fatty acid composition of biodiesel in order to improve oxidation stability?”.Maes RR, Potters G, Fransen E, Geuens J, Van Schaeren R, Lenaerts S, Sustainability 15, 10310 (2023). http://doi.org/10.3390/SU151310310
Abstract: Air quality currently poses a major risk for human health. Currently, diesel is widely used as fuel and is a significant source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), both hazardous to human health. A good alternative for mineral diesel is biodiesel, not only for the improvement of hazardous components in the exhaust gases but also because it can be produced in view of a circular economy. Biodiesel consists of a mix of different fatty acid methyl esters, which can react with oxygen. As a consequence, the oxidation stability of biodiesel has to be studied, because the oxidation of biodiesel could affect the performance of the engine due to the wear of injectors and fuel pumps. The oxidation stability could also affect the quality of the exhaust gases due to increases in NOx and PM. The basic question we try to answer in this communication is: 'Can we find an optimal fatty acid composition in order to have a maximal oxidation stability?' In this article, we try to find the optimal fatty acid composition according to the five most common fatty acid methyl esters present in biodiesel in order to reach a maximal oxidation stability. The measurements and statistical analysis show, however, that there is no useful regression model because there are statistically significant two- and three-way interactions among the different fatty acids.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Medical Genetics (MEDGEN)
Impact Factor: 3.9
DOI: 10.3390/SU151310310
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