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Blended electrolyte membranes based on sulfonated Polyethersulfone (sPES) and sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone) (sPEEK) were prepared in two different ratios (i.e. 50/50 and 25/75) via a simple, scalable and inexpensive solution casting process to investigate their suitability for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) applications. Thermo-mechanical analysis revealed higher flexibility and thermal resistance with the blending of these two macromolecules, without any evidence of phase-segregation, and with good chemical stability. Furthermore, the proton transport was facilitated while the methanol permeability was dramatically reduced. The DMFC tests confirmed outstanding performance by using the membrane with the blend ratio 25/75, reaching a power density of about 130 mW cm at 80 °C in 4 M methanol solution. These features and the cost-effectiveness of sPES-SPEEK membranes make them interesting candidates for use in next-generation DMFCs.

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) are arguably the most employed fuel-cell types in various industry sectors, as they operate at low temperature and exhibit short start-up time and high durability. PEMFC manufacturing is currently transitioning from low-volume to mass production. Within this effort, efficient catalyst deposition to produce MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) electrodes has become instrumental, since very expensive raw materials are involved. This work focuses on an Additive Manufacturing (AM) technique - a modified 3D printing approach - used to release catalytic inks onto PEMFC electrodes. Some catalyst-free suspensions were designed to resemble a catalytic ink and characterized to assess their printability by microextrusion. Mixtures of distilled water, ethanol and graphite were prepared and tested. Granulometric and rheometric analyses were conducted to optimize the composition towards low viscosity values and short drying time. Repeatability of the released amount and its homogeneousness onto the target surface were evaluated. The most suitable ink formulation was loaded with platinum, a perfluorosulfonic ionomer, a pore former (NHCO) and deposited onto Gas Diffusion Layers (GDL). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) measurements were performed on the 3D-printed electrodes to characterize it. Preliminary electrochemical fuel-cell tests were carried out towards a comparison with conventional electrodes: the proposed deposition technique appears able to produce electrodes that align with state-of-the-art performance level.

Abstract This paper employs panel methodological approaches to explore the link between per capita carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, per capita real gross domestic product (GDP), renewable energy consumption, and health expenditures as health indicator for a panel of 42 sub-Saharan Africa countries, spanning the period 1995–2011. Empirical results support a long-term relationship between variables. In the short-run, Granger causality reveals the presence of unidirectional causalities running from real GDP to CO2 emissions, to renewable energy consumption, and to heath expenditures, and bidirectional causality between renewable energy consumption and CO2 emissions. In the long-run, there is a unidirectional causality running from renewable energy consumption to health expenditures, and bidirectional causality between health expenditures and CO2 emissions. Our long-run elasticity estimates document that both renewable energy consumption and health expenditures contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions, while real GDP leads to the increase of emissions. We recommend these countries to pursue their economic growth and invest in health care and renewable energy projects, which will enable them to benefit from their abundant wealth in renewable energy resources, improve the health conditions of their citizens, and fight climate change.