Advances in Polymer-Based Materials for Energy Applications

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 June 2024 | Viewed by 14065

Special Issue Editors

Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
Interests: polymer electrolyte; polymer physics; proteins; self-assembly; biophysics; molecular simulations; statistical mechanics
Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 10608, Taiwan
Interests: polyelectrolyte membranes; simulation of polymers; self-assembly; multiscale thermodynamics; molecular simulations

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past few decades, the demands for energy production and storage have drastically increased, driving the advances in the development of high-performance and eco-friendly energy devices such as lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, solar cells, etc. Polymers with various functionalities have been applied in the components within the aforementioned devices, including active materials, membranes, binders, etc., to improve the efficiency of energy storage and conversion. The advances in polymer-based materials have improved the operations of energy devices, such as fast charge/discharge at room temperature, boosting their diverse applications. The design and fabrication of polymer-based materials are crucial to enhance the performance and the durability of the energy devices. Thus, the combinations of modeling and experimental characterizations provide more comprehensive insights into the designs and optimizations of novel polymeric materials.

The aim of this Special Issue is to demonstrate recent advances in the designs, fabrications, and characterizations of polymer-based materials for energy applications. The scope of interest includes but is not limited to solid/gel polymer electrolytes, binders, separators, ion-exchange membranes, conducting polymers, and polymer-based electrodes for energy conversion and storage devices. Research and review articles focused on experimental and/or modeling aspects of polymeric materials are welcome.

Dr. Chi-cheng Chiu
Dr. Ming-Tsung Lee
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polymer electrolyte
  • polymer binders
  • separators
  • ion-exchange membranes
  • conducting polymers
  • polymer-based organic electrodes
  • lithium-ion batteries
  • supercapacitors
  • fuel cells
  • solar cells

Published Papers (7 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

20 pages, 2629 KiB  
Article
Polymeric Materials Selection for Flexible Pulsating Heat Pipe Manufacturing Using a Comparative Hybrid MCDM Approach
by Muhammed Ordu and Oguzhan Der
Polymers 2023, 15(13), 2933; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym15132933 - 03 Jul 2023
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 1674
Abstract
The right choice of polymeric materials plays a vital role in the successful design and manufacture of flexible fluidic systems, as well as heat transfer devices such as pulsating heat pipes. The decision to choose an acceptable polymeric material entails a variety of [...] Read more.
The right choice of polymeric materials plays a vital role in the successful design and manufacture of flexible fluidic systems, as well as heat transfer devices such as pulsating heat pipes. The decision to choose an acceptable polymeric material entails a variety of evaluation criteria because there are numerous competing materials available today, each with its own properties, applications, benefits, and drawbacks. In this study, a comparative hybrid multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model is proposed for evaluating suitable polymeric materials for the fabrication of flexible pulsating heat pipes. The decision model consists of fourteen evaluation criteria and twelve alternative materials. For this purpose, three different hybrid MCDM methods were applied to solve the material selection problems (i.e., AHP-GRA, AHP-CoCoSo, and AHP-VIKOR). According to the results obtained, PTFE, PE, and PP showed promising properties. In addition, Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was performed, and the hybrid methods used produced consistent rankings with each other. By applying MCDM methods, it was concluded that PTFE is the most suitable material to be preferred for manufacturing flexible pulsating heat pipes. In addition to this result, PE and PP are among the best alternatives that can be recommended after PTFE. The study supports the use of MCDM techniques to rank material choices and enhance the selection procedure. The research will greatly assist industrial managers and academics involved in the selection process of polymeric materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials for Energy Applications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 506 KiB  
Article
Efficient Synthesis of High-Performance Anion Exchange Membranes by Applying Clickable Tetrakis(dialkylamino)phosphonium Cations
by Yu Wang, Yudong Wang, Sushant Sahu, August A. Gallo and Xiao-Dong Zhou
Polymers 2023, 15(2), 352; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym15020352 - 09 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1138
Abstract
Tetrakis(dialkylamino)phosphonium (TKDAAP) compounds exhibit extraordinary base resistance, a prerequisite feature for high-performance anion exchange membranes (AEMs). It is, however, challenging to synthesize a TKDAAP compound with reactive functionality that can be used to link the cation to a polymer backbone. In this study, [...] Read more.
Tetrakis(dialkylamino)phosphonium (TKDAAP) compounds exhibit extraordinary base resistance, a prerequisite feature for high-performance anion exchange membranes (AEMs). It is, however, challenging to synthesize a TKDAAP compound with reactive functionality that can be used to link the cation to a polymer backbone. In this study, two TKDAAP compounds with alkyne functionality were synthesized and incorporated into an azide-modified SBS triblock copolymer backbone via Cu(I)-catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) “click” chemistry. The properties of the resulting AEMs were characterized. It was found that (1) the triazole linker between the cation and the polymer backbone was stable under alkaline conditions; (2) varying the substituents of TKDAAP compounds could dramatically alter the stability; and (3) increasing the hydrophilicity of the AEM was an efficient way to enhance its ionic conductivity. Using clickable TKDAAP compounds makes it easy to combine various cations into polymer backbones with adjustable cation content, thus potentially leading to an efficient way to screen a wide variety of polyelectrolyte structures to identify the most promising candidates for high-performance AEMs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials for Energy Applications)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 5305 KiB  
Article
Selecting EOR Polymers through Combined Approaches—A Case for Flooding in a Heterogenous Reservoir
by Ante Borovina, Rafael E. Hincapie, Torsten Clemens, Eugen Hoffmann and Jonas Wegner
Polymers 2022, 14(24), 5514; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14245514 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1844
Abstract
This work uses micromodel, core floods and Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF) evaluations to estimate the behaviour and key elements for selecting polymers to address heterogenous reservoirs. One of the approaches was to construct two-layered micromodels differing six times in permeability and based on the [...] Read more.
This work uses micromodel, core floods and Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF) evaluations to estimate the behaviour and key elements for selecting polymers to address heterogenous reservoirs. One of the approaches was to construct two-layered micromodels differing six times in permeability and based on the physical characteristics of a Bentheimer sandstone. Further, the impacts of injectivity and displacement efficiency of the chosen polymers were then assessed using single- and two-phase core tests. Moreover, FFF was also used to assess the polymers’ conformity, gyration radii, and molecular weight distribution. For the polymer selection for field application, we weighted on the good laboratory performance in terms of sweep efficiency improvement, injectivity, and propagation. Based on the results, polymer B (highest MWD) performed the poorest. Full spectrum MWD measurement using Field-Flow Fractionation is a key in understanding polymer behavior. Heterogenous micromodel evaluations provided consistent data to subsequent core flood evaluations and were in alignment with FFF indications. Single-phase core floods performed higher injection velocities (5 m/d) in combination of FFF showed that narrower MWD distribution polymers (polymers A and C) have less retention and better injectivity. Two-phase core floods performed at low, reservoir representative velocities (1 ft/d) showed that Polymer B could not be injected, with pressure response staying at high values even when chase brine is injected. Adsorption values for all tested polymers at these conditions were high, however highest were observed in the case of polymer B. Overall, for the polymer selection for field application, we weighted on the good laboratory performance in terms of sweep efficiency improvement, injectivity, polymer retention, and propagation; all accounted in this work. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials for Energy Applications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 6203 KiB  
Article
Anion Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells Based on Quaternized Polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene Triblock Copolymers with Spacer-Sidechain Design
by Qun-Gao Chen and Ming-Tsung Lee
Polymers 2022, 14(14), 2860; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14142860 - 13 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1898
Abstract
This work studied the polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) triblock copolymers functionalized by butyl quaternary ammonium (C4Q) groups and alkyl side chains of different chain lengths (Cn, n = 0 to 24). The hydrated membrane morphology [...] Read more.
This work studied the polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) triblock copolymers functionalized by butyl quaternary ammonium (C4Q) groups and alkyl side chains of different chain lengths (Cn, n = 0 to 24). The hydrated membrane morphology was modeled by dissipative particle dynamics simulation at hydration levels from 10 to 30. A hydroxide model was devised to characterize the diffusivity of anions under the coarse-grained framework. In general, the ionomers with alkyl side chains provided ion conductivity of a similar level at a lower ion exchange capacity. All hydrated SEBS–C4Q–Cn ionomers showed clear phase separation of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains, featuring 18.6 mS/cm to 36.8 mS/cm ion conductivity. The hydrophilic channels expanded as the water content increased, forming more effective ion conductive pathways. Introducing excess alkyl side chains enhanced the nano-segregation, leading to more ordered structures and longer correlation lengths of the aqueous phase. The membrane morphology was controlled by the length of alkyl side-chains as well as their tethering positions. Ionomers with functionalized side chains tethered on the same block resulted in well-connective water networks and higher conductivities. The detailed structural analysis provides synthesis guidelines to fabricate anion exchange membranes with improved performances. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials for Energy Applications)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 1454 KiB  
Article
Solute Diffusivity and Local Free Volume in Cross-Linked Polymer Network: Implication of Optimizing the Conductivity of Polymer Electrolyte
by Yi-Chen Tsai and Chi-Cheng Chiu
Polymers 2022, 14(10), 2061; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14102061 - 18 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1982
Abstract
The diffusion of small molecules or ions within polymeric materials is critical for their applications, such as polymer electrolytes. Cross-linking has been one of the common strategies to modulate solute diffusivity and a polymer’s mechanical properties. However, various studies have shown different effects [...] Read more.
The diffusion of small molecules or ions within polymeric materials is critical for their applications, such as polymer electrolytes. Cross-linking has been one of the common strategies to modulate solute diffusivity and a polymer’s mechanical properties. However, various studies have shown different effects of cross-linking on altering the solute transports. Here, we utilized coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation to systematically analyze the effects of cross-linking and polymer rigidity of solute diffusive behaviors. Above the glass transition temperature Tg, the solute diffusion followed the Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher (VTF) equation, D = D0 eEa/R(TT0). Other than the conventional compensation relation between the activation energy Ea and the pre-exponential factor D0, we also identified a correlation between Ea and Vogel temperature T0. We further characterized an empirical relation between T0 and cross-linking density. Integrating the newly identified correlations among the VTF parameters, we formulated a relation between solute diffusion and the cross-linking density. The combined results proposed the criteria for the optimal solute diffusivity in cross-linked polymers, providing generic guidance for novel polymer electrolyte design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials for Energy Applications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 4799 KiB  
Article
Calcined Co(II)-Chelated Polyazomethine as Cathode Catalyst of Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
by Yu-Wei Cheng, Tar-Hwa Hsieh, Yu-Chang Huang, Po-Hao Tseng, Yen-Zen Wang, Ko-Shan Ho and Yue-Jie Huang
Polymers 2022, 14(9), 1784; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym14091784 - 27 Apr 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2022
Abstract
Polyazomethine (PAM) prepared from the polycondensation between p-phenylene diamine (PDA) and p-terephthalaldehyde (PTAl) via Schiff reaction can physically crosslink (complex) with Co ions. Co-complexed PAM (Co-PAM) in the form of gel is calcined to become a Co, N-co-doped carbonaceous matrix (Co-N-C), acting as [...] Read more.
Polyazomethine (PAM) prepared from the polycondensation between p-phenylene diamine (PDA) and p-terephthalaldehyde (PTAl) via Schiff reaction can physically crosslink (complex) with Co ions. Co-complexed PAM (Co-PAM) in the form of gel is calcined to become a Co, N-co-doped carbonaceous matrix (Co-N-C), acting as cathode catalyst of an anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC). The obtained Co-N-C catalyst demonstrates a single-atom structure with active Co centers seen under the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The Co-N-C catalysts are also characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, BET, and Raman spectroscopy. The Co-N-C catalysts demonstrate oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity in the KOH(aq) by expressing an onset potential of 1.19–1.37 V vs. RHE, a half wave potential of 0.70–0.92 V, a Tafel slope of 61–89 mV/dec., and number of exchange electrons of 2.48–3.79. Significant ORR peaks appear in the current–voltage (CV) polarization curves for the Co-N-C catalysts that experience two-stage calcination higher than 900 °C, followed by double acid leaching (CoNC-1000A-900A). The reduction current of CoNC-1000A-900A is comparable to that of commercial Pt-implanted carbon (Pt/C), and the max power density of the single cell using CoNC-1000A-900A as cathode catalyst reaches 275 mW cm−2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials for Energy Applications)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

19 pages, 5381 KiB  
Article
Novel Engineered Materials: Epoxy Resin Nanocomposite Reinforced with Modified Epoxidized Natural Rubber and Fibers for Low Speed Wind Turbine Blades
by Chainuson Kasagepongsan and Sunisa Suchat
Polymers 2021, 13(16), 2761; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym13162761 - 17 Aug 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2481
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate nanocomposite materials with good outdoor resistance for wind turbine blade application. The nanocomposites based on epoxy resin with 5% of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 50), 3% of nanofiller, and glass fibers, were subjected to experiments. [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to investigate nanocomposite materials with good outdoor resistance for wind turbine blade application. The nanocomposites based on epoxy resin with 5% of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 50), 3% of nanofiller, and glass fibers, were subjected to experiments. The weathering resistance of nanocomposites was evaluated from the change in mechanical properties caused by accelerated aging, induced by UVB radiation in a weathering chamber. The accelerated aging improved tensile strength by about 35% at 168 h of exposure to UVB, via a curing effect. The nanocomposites were optimized for all the parts of wind turbine blades (Savonius and Darrieus types) that are generally designed for high strength, low weight, weathering resistance, and low rotational speed (2 m/s). A tree wind turbine with nanocomposite blades produced 5 kW power output when tested. Based on the findings in this work, the innovative nanocomposites have potential in manufacturing wind turbines to generate electricity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer-Based Materials for Energy Applications)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop