Pollution from Fossil-Fuel Combustion is the Leading Environmental Threat to Global Pediatric Health and Equity: Solutions Exist

Circular Business Strategies and Quality of Life

Circular Economy (CE) and Quality of Life (QoL) are trending topics that have been researched extensively at both the local, regional and global levels. CE is often described as one of the key drivers of sustainability, and sustainability is one of the key drivers of improving QoL. However, studies that investigate the relationships between CE and QoL are rare, and a clear research gap exists. Therefore, this paper aims to initiate this discussion and bring forward illustrative examples on areas where CE could potentially have an impact on QoL, both on an individual and a societal level. By asking the question of how circular business strategies may impact QoL and how they relate, we investigate how CE can influence various aspects of QoL. We utilize the framework consisting of six CE strategies known under the acronym ReSOLVE to discuss how these CE strategies can be leveraged to impact QoL. Our discussion indicates a potential for both environmental and social gains through the implementation of circular product and service solutions. We also suggest that unintended consequences may occur, especially at the societal level. Hence, we propose that, while the discussion on CE has been focused on the environmental aspects of sustainability, the broader implications for QoL and other aspects of sustainability should also be included within the domain of CE implications. Hence, we propose that further research is necessary to develop a framework explaining the relationship between CE and QoL, encompassing both the positive and negative aspects.

Macroalgae (Ulva reticulata) derived biohydrogen recovery through mild surfactant induced energy and cost efficient dispersion pretreatment technology

Currently identification of alternate fuel is the key area of research under progress to overcome the depletion of fossil fuels, meet the domestic and industrial requirements. Generation of hydrogen, which is a clean fuel gas can solve various environmental related problems. Extensive research is being carried out to increase production of hydrogen through different substrates. This study aims to increase the production of hydrogen from Ulva reticulata (a macroalgal biomass). Initially, the biomass is pretreated mechanically with disperser and a biosurfactant, namely rhamnolipid in order to increase the solubilization of the biomass. The rate of COD liquefaction increased from 14% to 25% with the addition of biosurfactant to the macroalgal biomass, which is further treated mechanically using a disperser. The disperser rotor speed of 12,000 rpm and the specific energy input of 1175 kJ/kg TS (Total Solids) with the disintegration time of 30 min and biosurfactant dosage of 0.075 g/g TS were considered as the optimum parameters for the effective liquefaction of the macroalgal biomass. Approximately 3500 mg/L of the biopolymers were released after the combinative pretreatment (using disperser and biosurfactant). About 80 mL biohydrogen/g COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) was generated when the biomass was pretreated with both the disperser and biosurfactant while the biomass pretreated with the disperser alone generated just 30 mL biohydrogen/g COD and the untreated biomass generated 5 mL biohydrogen/g COD. Thus, it can be concluded that Ulva reticulata can be utilized effectively to generate biohydrogen.

Effects of Co Doping on the Growth and Photocatalytic Properties of ZnO Particles

The present work reports on the synthesis of ZnO photocatalysts with different Co-doping levels via a facile one-step solution route. The structural and optical properties were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The morphology of Co-doped ZnO depends on the reaction temperature and the amount of Co and counter-ions in the solution. Changes with the c-axis lattice constant and room temperature redshift show the replacement of Zn with Co ions without changing the wurtzite structure. Photocatalytic activities of Co-doped ZnO on the evolution of H₂ and the degradation of methylene blue (MB) reduce with the doping of Co ions. As the close ionic radii of Co and Zn, the reducing photocatalytic activity is not due to the physical defects but the formation of deep bandgap energy levels. Photocurrent response experiments further prove the formation of the recombination centers. Mechanistic insights into Co-ZnO formation and performance regulation are essential for their structural adaptation for application in catalysis, energy storage, etc.

Consequences of exposure to pollutants on respiratory health: From genetic correlations to causal relationships

Modern society grew rapidly over the last few decades and this led to an alarming increase in air pollutants and a worsening of the human health, especially in relation to the respiratory system. Indeed, chronic respiratory diseases were the third main cause of death in 2017, with over 3 million of deaths. Furthermore, the pollution has considerable consequences both for burden medical expenses and environmental. However, the mechanisms linking pollutants to the onset of these diseases remain unclear. Thus, in this study we addressed this problem through the United Kingdom BioBank database, analyzing 170 genome-wide association studies (103 related to respiratory diseases and 67 related to pollutants). We analyzed the genetic correlations and causal relationships of these traits, leveraging the summary statistics and bioinformatics packages such as Linkage Disequilibrium Score Regression and Latent Causal Variable. We obtained 158 significant genetic correlations and subsequently we analyzed them through the Latent Causal Variable analysis, obtaining 20 significant causal relationships. The most significant were between "Workplace full of chemicals or other fumes: Sometimes" and "Condition that has ever been diagnosed by a doctor: Asthma" and between "Workplace very dusty: Sometimes" and "Condition that has ever been diagnosed by a doctor: Emphysema or chronic bronchitis". Finally, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms independently associated with sveral pollutants to analyze the genes and pathways that could be involved in the onset of the aforementioned respiratory system disorders and that could be useful clinical target. This study highlighted how crucial are the air condition of the working environments and the type of transport used in the onset of respiratory-related morbidity. Based on that, we also suggested some interventions, in order to improve quality life and develop new and eco-friendly society and life style, such as improving indoor air circulation, the use of public transport and urban reforestation.

Climate Change and State of the Science for Children's Health and Environmental Health Equity

INTRODUCTION

Climate change is impacting the physical and mental health of children and families. This is a state of the science update regarding the impacts of climate change for pediatric-focused health care providers and advanced practice registered nurses.

METHOD

Using an equity lens, the authors reviewed and synthesized current literature regarding the adverse impacts of climate change.

RESULTS

The poor and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Physical health impacts include increased vector and water-born infectious diseases, increases in asthma and respiratory infections, and undernutrition. Social disruptions lead to human trafficking. Climate change is associated with mental health concerns, including anxiety and posttraumatic stress after natural disasters.

DISCUSSION

As clinicians, pediatric-focused providers, and advanced practice registered nurses should use multipronged and interdisciplinary approaches to address or prevent the adverse impacts of climate change. Advocacy at all government levels is necessary to safeguard children and vulnerable populations.

Analysis of the Influence of Coal Petrography on the Proper Application of the Unipore and Bidisperse Models of Methane Diffusion

The analysis of phenomena related to gas transport in hard coal is important with regard to the energetic use of coal bed methane (CBM), the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere (CO2) and the prevention of natural hazards such as methane hazards and gas and rock outbursts. This article presents issues concerning the feasibility and scope of applying the unipore and bidisperse diffusion models to obtain knowledge concerning the kinetics of methane sorption and its diffusion in the carbon structure, depending on its petrography. Laboratory tests were carried out on coal samples which varied in terms of petrography. Quantitative point analyses were carried out, based on which content of groups of macerals was determined. The degree of coalification of coal samples was also determined based on measurements of vitrinite reflectivity R0 and the volatile matter content Vdaf. Sorption kinetics were also investigated, and attempts were made to adjust the unipore and bidisperse models to the real sorption kinetic courses. This allowed the identification of appropriate coefficients controlling the course of sorption in mathematical models. An attempt was also made to assess the possibility of applying a given model to properly describe the phenomenon of methane sorption on hard coal.

Valorisation of CO2 into Value-Added Products via Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES) and Electro-Fermentation Technology

Microbial electrocatalysis reckons on microbes as catalysts for reactions occurring at electrodes. Microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells are well-known in this context; both prefer the oxidation of organic and inorganic matter for producing electricity. Notably, the synthesis of high energy-density chemicals (fuels) or their precursors by microorganisms using bio-cathode to yield electrical energy is called Microbial Electrosynthesis (MES), giving an exceptionally appealing novel way for producing beneficial products from electricity and wastewater. This review accentuates the concept, importance and opportunities of MES, as an emerging discipline at the nexus of microbiology and electrochemistry. Production of organic compounds from MES is considered as an effective technique for the generation of various beneficial reduced end-products (like acetate and butyrate) as well as in reducing the load of CO2 from the atmosphere to mitigate the harmful effect of greenhouse gases in global warming. Although MES is still an emerging technology, this method is not thoroughly known. The authors have focused on MES, as it is the next transformative, viable alternative technology to decrease the repercussions of surplus carbon dioxide in the environment along with conserving energy.

Trends in renewable energy production employing biomass-based biochar

Tremendous population growth and industrialization have increased energy consumption unprecedentedly. The depletion of fossil-based energy supplies necessitates the exploration of solar, geothermal, wind, hydrogen, biodiesel, etc. as a clean and renewable energy source. Most of these energy sources are intermittent, while bioelectricity, biodiesel, and biohydrogen can be produced using abundantly available organic wastes regularly. The production of various energy resources requires materials that are costly and affect the applicability at a large scale. Biomass-derived materials (biochar) are getting attention in the field of bioenergy due to their simple method of synthesis, high surface area, porosity, and availability of functional groups for easy modification. Biochar synthesis using various techniques is discussed and their use as an electrode (anodic/cathodic) in a microbial fuel cell (MFC), catalysts in transesterification, and anaerobic digestion for energy production are reviewed. Renewable energy production using biochar would be a sustainable approach to create an energy secure world.

Influence of Propanol as Additive with Diesel Jatropha Biodiesel Blend Fuel for Diesel Engine

Fossil fuels are widely recognized as non-renewable energy resources. They play an important role in our daily life because they can be used in various applications such as the production of soap and cosmetics, as an energy source and for transportation. However, the use of these fossil fuels causes negative impacts on humans, animals and the environment. These happen due to the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere. Not only that, the available fossil fuels are decreasing due to continuous usage by humans. As a result, researchers investigated finding alternative ways to overcome this issue by replacing diesel fuel with biodiesel. Biodiesel is more environmentally friendly relative to diesel fuel. A research study was conducted involving biodiesel. The purpose of this study was to produce Jatropha Biodiesel, as well as evaluate the properties of Jatropha biodiesel and diesel Jatropha biodiesel blended with propanol. The production of Jatropha Biodiesel was done by using two-step transesterification which was an acid-catalyzed transesterification and base-catalyzed transesterification. Different methanol to oil ratios had been used to identify the best ratio to reduce the FFA content in the CJO. 9:1 was the best methanol to oil ratio and then tested with different catalyst weights. It was found that an increase in the weight of catalyst might reduce the amount of biodiesel yield. In addition, this study also investigated and predicted the engine performance and characteristics of diesel Jatropha biodiesel blended with propanol at different blending ratios. The properties of these test fuels were studied. Bomb calorimeter, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis and Diesel Engine test were done. Thus, the calorific value and functional group of the test fuels were identified and determined. The calorific value of biodiesel was much higher than conventional diesel due to the existence of oxygen. This could be proven as the analysis of FT-IR also showed a (C=O) bond which reflected the presence of oxygen. The oxygen helped in combustion besides reducing the hydrocarbon released into the air. These findings were then reflected and related to the performance of diesel engines.  

High-quality genome assembly of an important biodiesel plant, Euphorbia lathyris L

Caper spurge, Euphorbia lathyris L., is an important energy crop and medicinal crop. Here, we generated a high-quality, chromosome-level genome assembly of caper spurge using Oxford Nanopore sequencing, Illumina sequencing, and Hi-C technology. The final genome assembly was ∼988.9 Mb in size, 99.8% of which could be grouped into 10 pseudochromosomes, with contig and scaffold N50 values of 32.6 and 95.7 Mb, respectively. A total of 651.4 Mb repetitive sequences and 36,342 protein-coding genes were predicted in the genome assembly. Comparative genomic analysis showed that caper spurge and castor bean clustered together. We found that no independent whole-genome duplication event had occurred in caper spurge after its split from castor bean, and recent substantial amplification of LTR retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) has contributed significantly to its genome expansion. Furthermore, based on gene homology searching, we identified a number of candidate genes involved in the biosynthesis of fatty acids and triacylglycerols. The reference genome presented here will be highly useful for the further study of the genetics, genomics, and breeding of this high-value crop, as well as for evolutionary studies of spurge family and angiosperms.

Air pollution control efficacy and health impacts: A global observational study from 2000 to 2016

Particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM_2.5) concentrations vary between countries with similar carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, which can be partially explained by differences in air pollution control efficacy. However, no indicator of air pollution control efficacy has yet been developed. We aimed to develop such an indicator, and to evaluate its global and temporal distribution and its association with country-level health metrics. A novel indicator, ambient population-weighted average PM_2.5 concentration per unit per capita CO₂ emission (PM_2.5/CO₂), was developed to assess country-specific air pollution control efficacy (abbreviated as APCI). We estimated and mapped the global average distribution of APCI and its changes during 2000-2016 across 196 countries. Pearson correlation coefficients and Generalized Additive Mixed Model (GAMM) were used to evaluate the relationship between APCI and health metrics. APCI varied by country with an inverse association with economic development. APCI showed an almost stable trend globally from 2000 to 2016, with the low-income groups increased and several countries (China, India, Bangladesh) decreased. The Pearson correlation coefficients between APCI and life expectancy at birth (LE), infant-mortality rate (IMR), under-five year of age mortality rate (U5MR) and logarithm of per capita GDP (LPGDP) were -0.57, 0.65, 0.66, -0.59 respectively (all P values < 0.001). APCI could explain international variation of LE, IMR and U5MR. The associations between APCI and LE, IMR, U5MR were independent of per capita GDP and climatic factors. We consider APCI to be a good indicator for air pollution control efficacy given its relation to important population health indicators. Our findings provide a new metric to interpret health inequity across the globe from the point of climate change and air pollution control efficacy.

Bottom-Up Synthesized All-Thermal-Catalyst Aerogels for Heat-Regenerative Air Filtration

Airborne particular matter (PM) pollution is an increasing global issue and alternative sources of filter fibers are now an area of significant focus. Compared with relatively mature hazardous gas treatments, state of the art high-efficiency PM filters still lack thermal decomposition ability for organic PM pollutants, such as soot from coal-fired power plants and waste-combustion incinerators, resulting in frequent replacement, high cost, and second-hand pollution. In this manuscript, we propose a bottom-up synthesis method to make the first all-thermal-catalyst air filter (ATCAF). Self-assembled from ∼50 nm diameter TiO₂ fibers, ATCAF could not only capture the combustion-generated PM pollutants with >99.999% efficiency but also catalyze the complete decomposition of the as-captured hydrocarbon pollutants at high temperature. It has the potential of in situ eliminating the PM pollutants from burning of hydrocarbon materials leveraging the burning heat.

Do carbon emissions impact Nepal's population growth, energy utilization, and economic progress? Evidence from long- and short-run analyses

Greenhouse gases are the major issues globally leading to climate change and increased pollution of the atmosphere. CO₂ emissions have divergent effect to the environment that also causes the economic performance of any country. The main motive of this analysis was to expose the influence of CO₂ emission on population growth, fossil fuel energy consumption, economic progress, and energy usage in Nepal by using time series data ranging from 1971 to 2019, and data stationarity was checked with the help of unit root tests. An autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method with cointegration test was employed to adjudicate the variable dynamics with short- and long-run evidence. Furthermore, variable causality was tested through the Granger causality test. Study findings show that during long-run analysis that fossil fuel energy consumption and energy utilization has constructive affinity with carbon dioxide emission that exposed the p-values (0.0000) and (0.1065) correspondingly, while population growth and economic progress uncovered an inimical relation to CO₂ emission. Similarly, the outcomes via short-run analysis also show that fossil fuel energy consumption and energy utilization have productive relation with CO₂ emission which shows the p-values (0.0000) and (0.1317), while population growth and economic progress demonstrate an adverse influence to CO₂ emission. The causality test results also validate a unidirectional linkage among variables. In attempt to participate in the global fight to clean up the atmosphere, the Nepali government and officials must take new measures to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Macroeconomic Efficiency of Photovoltaic Energy Production in Polish Farms

The public’s awareness of threats to the natural environment, as well as the hazard to human lives and health posed by the use of fossil fuels to generate energy has resulted in the growing interest in renewable energy sources, thus promoting attempts to reduce the dependency on conventional energy sources. Among the former, solar energy is one of the most promising. The aim of this study is to assess the macroeconomic efficiency of investments in photovoltaic installations to meet the demand for electricity of farms and agricultural production. Calculations were prepared for 48 variants comprising three farm types (dairy farms, field cropping farms, and mixed production farms), as well as 16 locations throughout Poland. The obtained results indicate high efficiency of electricity production using photovoltaic installations to cover the needs of farms in Poland. In macroeconomic accounting, NPV ranges from EUR 8200 to almost EUR 23,000, with the payback period depending on the farm type ranging from 4.3 up to 6 years, while the internal rate of return amounts to 21–32%. Increasing the scope of investments in photovoltaics (PV) to cover the electricity demand not only of the household, but also of the agricultural production leads to improved economic efficiency of energy production both in the macro- and microeconomic terms.

A Comparative Analysis of Emissions from a Compression–Ignition Engine Powered by Diesel, Rapeseed Biodiesel, and Biodiesel from Chlorella protothecoides Biomass Cultured under Different Conditions

The priority faced by energy systems in road transport is to develop and implement clean technologies. These actions are expected to reduce emissions and slow down climate changes. An alternative in this case may be the use of biodiesel produced from microalgae. However, its production and use need to be justified economically and technologically. The main objective of this study was to determine the emissions from an engine powered by biodiesel produced from the bio-oil of Chlorella protothecoides cultured with different methods, i.e., using a pure chemical medium (BD-ABM) and a medium based on the effluents from an anaerobic reactor (BD-AAR). The results obtained were compared to the emissions from engines powered by conventional biodiesel from rapeseed oil (BD-R) and diesel from crude oil (D-CO). The use of effluents as a medium in Chlorella protothecoides culture had no significant effect on the properties of bio-oil nor the composition of FAME. In both cases, octadecatrienoic acid proved to be the major FAME (50% wt/wt), followed by oleic acid (ca. 22%) and octadecadienoic acid (over 15%). The effluents from UASB were found to significantly reduce the biomass growth rate and lipid content of the biomass. The CO2 emissions were comparable for all fuels tested and increased linearly along with an increasing engine load. The use of microalgae biodiesel resulted in a significantly lower CO emission compared to the rapeseed biofuel and contributed to lower NOx emission. Regardless of engine load tested, the HC emission was the highest in the engine powered by diesel. At low engine loads, it was significantly lower when the engine was powered by microalgae biodiesel than by rapeseed biodiesel.

Reconstructed Bismuth-Based Metal-Organic Framework Nanofibers for Selective CO2 -to-Formate Conversion: Morphology Engineering

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (ERCO₂ ) is an attractive and sustainable approach to close the carbon loop. Formic acid is a high-value and readily collectible liquid product. However, the current reaction selectivity remains unsatisfactory. In this study, the bismuth-containing metal-organic framework CAU-17, with morphological variants of hexagonal prisms (CAU-17-hp) and nanofibers (CAU-17-fiber), is prepared at room temperature through a wet-chemical approach and employed as the electrocatalyst for highly selective CO₂ -to-formate conversion. An H₃ BTC-mediated morphology reconstruction is systematically investigated and further used to build a CAU-17-fiber hierarchical structure. The as-prepared CAU-17-fiber_400 electrodes give the best electrocatalytic performance in selective and efficient formate production with FE_HCOO- of 96.4 % and j_COOH- of 20.4 mA cm^-2 at -0.9 V_RHE . This work provides a new mild approach for synthesis and morphology engineering of CAU-17 and demonstrates the efficacy of morphology engineering in regulating the accessible surface area and promoting the activity of MOF-based materials for ERCO₂ .

A Techno-Economic Model for Wind Energy Costs Analysis for Low Wind Speed Areas

The global population is moving away from fossil fuel technologies due to their many disadvantages, such as air pollution, greenhouse gases emission, global warming, acid rain, health problems, and high costs. These disadvantages make fossil fuels unsustainable. As a result, renewable energy is becoming more attractive due to its steadily decreasing costs. Harnessing renewable energy promises to meet the present energy demands of the African continent. The enormous renewable energy potential available across the African continent remains largely untapped, especially for wind energy. However, marginal and fair wind speeds and power densities characterize African wind energy resulting in low and unsustainable power in many areas. This research develops a techno-economic model for wind energy cost analysis for a novel, Ferris wheel-based wind turbine. The model is used to techno-economically analyze the siting of wind turbine sites in low wind speed areas on the African continent. The wind turbine’s technical performance is characterized by calculating the annual energy production and the capacity factor using the wind Weibull probability distribution of the cities and theoretical power curve of the wind turbine. Its economic performance is evaluated using annualized financial return on investment, simple payback period, and levelized cost of electricity. The techno-economic model is validated for 21 African cities and shows that the Ferris wheel-based design is very competitive with four current, commercial wind turbines, as well as with other sources of energy. Hence, the new wind turbine may help provide the economical, clean, renewable energy that Africa needs.

Patterned separator membranes with pillar surface microstructures for improved battery performance

In order to improve battery performance by tuning battery separator membranes, this work reports on porous poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) - P(VDF-TrFE)- membranes with surface pillar microstructures. Separators with tailored pillar diameter, height and bulk thickness were fabricated by template patterning and computer simulations, allowing to evaluate the effect of the pillar microstructure characteristics on battery performance. It is shown that the different pillar microstructures of the separators affect the uptake value (150-325%), ionic conductivity value (0.8-1.6 mS·cm^-1) and discharge capacity of the lithium ion batteries (LIB) when compared with the separator without pillars. The experimental charge-discharge behavior demonstrates that the pillar parameters affect battery performance and the best microstructure leading to 80 mAh·g^-1 at 2C. Battery performance can be thus optimized by adjusting pillar diameter, height and bulk thickness of the separators keeping its volume constant, as demonstrated also by the simulation results. The parameter with most influence in battery performance is the bulk thickness of the separator, allowing to obtain a maximum discharge capacity value of 117.8 mAh·g^-1 at 90C for a thickness of 0.01 mm. Thus, this work shows that the optimization of the pillar microstructure of the separator membranes allows increasing the capacity towards a new generation of high-performance LIBs.

Life Cycle Assessment on Different Synthetic Routes of ZIF-8 Nanomaterials

In the last twenty years, research activity around the environmental applications of metal–organic frameworks has bloomed due to their CO2 capture ability, tunable properties, porosity, and well-defined crystalline structure. Thus, hundreds of MOFs have been developed. However, the impact of their production on the environment has not been investigated as thoroughly as their potential applications. In this work, the environmental performance of various synthetic routes of MOF nanoparticles, in particular ZIF-8, is assessed through a life cycle assessment. For this purpose, five representative synthesis routes were considered, and synthesis data were obtained based on available literature. The synthesis included different solvents (de-ionized water, methanol, dimethylformamide) as well as different synthetic steps (i.e., hours of drying, stirring, precursor). The findings revealed that the main environmental weak points identified during production were: (a) the use of dimethylformamide (DMF) and methanol (MeOH) as substances impacting environmental sustainability, which accounted for more than 85% of the overall environmental impacts in those synthetic routes where they were utilized as solvents and as cleaning agents at the same time; (b) the electricity consumption, especially due to the Greek energy mix which is fossil-fuel dependent, and accounted for up to 13% of the overall environmental impacts in some synthetic routes. Nonetheless, for the optimization of the impacts provided by the energy use, suggestions are made based on the use of alternative, cleaner renewable energy sources, which (for the case of wind energy) will decrease the impacts by up to 2%.

Policy Considerations for African Food Systems: Towards the United Nations 2021 Food Systems Summit

Achieving food and nutrition security and ending hunger is a complex and multi-faceted global challenge, which requires urgent attention, particularly in Africa. To eliminate hunger, the continent needs to transition to new sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems that deliver nutritious food and a healthy planet for all. This paper discusses challenges and opportunities highlighted during the “Food Systems Transformation to Address the SDGs” session convened by the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and partners at the 8th World Sustainability Forum (WSF2020) held in September 2020. The paper reflects on how African food systems need to change to achieve the food systems related and interconnected the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also presents issues for consideration at the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit. Key considerations include (i) the realization that nutrition insecurity is not food insecurity, (ii) the need for Africa to actualize its potential, (iii) the need to demystify policy development processes; (iv) the need to invest in better measurements and indicators; and (v) the need to create nature-based climate-smart solutions

Solvothermal-Based Lignin Fractionation From Corn Stover: Process Optimization and Product Characteristics

Fractionation of lignocellulosic is a fundamental step in the production of value-added biobased products. This work proposes an initiative to efficiently extract lignin from the corn stover using a single-step solvothermal fractionation in the presence of an acid promoter (H2SO4). The organic solvent mixture used consists of ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water at a ratio of 30: 25:45 (v/v), respectively. H2SO4 was utilized as a promoter to improve the performance and selectivity of lignin removal from the solid phase and to increase the amount of recovered lignin in the organic phase. The optimal conditions for this extraction, based on response surface methodology (RSM), are a temperature of 180°C maintained for 49.1 min at an H2SO4 concentration of 0.08 M. The optimal conditions show an efficient reaction with 98.0% cellulose yield and 75.0% lignin removal corresponding to 72.9% lignin recovery. In addition, the extracted lignin fractions, chemical composition, and structural features were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, and two-dimensional heteronuclear single quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (2D-HSQC NMR). The results indicate that the recovered lignin primarily contains a β-O-4 linking motif based on 2D-HSQC spectra. In addition, new C-C inter-unit linkages (i.e., β-β, and β-5) are not formed in the recovered lignin during H2SO4-catalyzed solvothermal pretreatment. This work facilitates effective valorization of lignin into value-added chemicals and fuels.

Fractionation and characterization of lignin from sugarcane bagasse using a sulfuric acid catalyzed solvothermal process

Conversion of lignocellulosic residue to bioenergy and biofuel is a promising platform for global sustainability. Fractionation is an initial step for isolating lignocellulosic components for subsequent valorization. The aim of this research is to develop the solvothermal fractionation of sugarcane bagasse to produce high purity lignin. The physio-chemical structure of isolated lignin from this process was determined. In this study, a central composite design-based response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize an acid promoter for isolating lignin from sugarcane bagasse using a solvothermal fractionation process. The reaction was carried out with sulfuric acid, at a concentration of 0.01-0.02 M and a reaction temperature of 180-200 °C for 30-90 min. The optimal conditions for the experiment were obtained at the acid concentration of 0.02 M with a temperature of 200 °C for 90 min in methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)/methanol/water (35% : 25% : 40% v/v%). The results showed that 88% of lignin removal was done in the solid phase, while 87% of lignin recovery was conducted in the organic phase. Furthermore, the changes in the physico-chemical characteristics of solid residue and lignin recovery were analyzed using various techniques. GPC analysis of recovered lignin from the organic fraction showed a lower M w (1374 g mol-1) and polydispersity index (1.75) compared to commercial organosolv lignin. The major lignin degradation temperature of commercial organosolv lignin was estimated to be 410 °C, whereas BGL showed two main degradations at 291 °C and 437 °C, which could point to potential relationships with the degradation of β-O-4 cross-links. The results indicated that recovered lignin was mostly cross-linked by β-O-4 cross-links. In addition, Py-GC/MS and 2D HSQC NMR gave more information regarding the compositional and structural features of recovered lignin. The development of the sulfuric acid catalyzed solvothermal process in this study provides efficient extraction of high-value organosolv lignin from sugarcane bagasse and the production of recovered lignin in the organic phase with low contamination from other contents. The lignin characteristic data can contribute to the development of lignin valorization in value-added applications.

Pitch Angle Modulation of the Horizontal and Vertical Axes Wind Turbine Using Fuzzy Logic Control

The aim of this research work is to modulate the pitch angle of both types of wind turbines based on fuzzy logic control (FLC), as changes in the pitch angle have various functions in horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines. For HAWT, pitch angle control is applied to shield the electrical components of the turbine when the wind speed exceeds the rated speed without shutting down the turbine. FLC is used to control the angular velocity using two inputs and one output with three membership functions for both inputs and output. In VAWT, pitch angle control is applied to boost the performance of the turbine and its self-starting torque. FLC utilizes two inputs and one output with five membership functions for both inputs and output. For both turbine types, FLC produces a control signal that drives the actuator to achieve the desired pitch angle. The dynamics of HAWT and VAWT are simulated by the MATLAB/Simulink to demonstrate the influence of pitch controls on their dynamics. For HAWT, the FLC control has successfully maintained the angular speed of the rotor. The values of tip speed ratio and coefficient of performance are reduced in order to maintain the rotor angular velocity at its rated value. On the other hand, the results showed that the torque produced by the VAWT individual blade has improved with the pitch angle control. In addition, using FLC to control the pitch angle gives enhanced output and higher Cp at low tip speed ratios. Gain schedule PI controller is also used in both HAWT and VAWT for comparative study.

WITHDRAWN: Health risk appraisal of rural population in poverty

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher.

The Role of Agriculture and Rural Areas in the Development of Autonomous Energy Regions in Poland

In many countries, energy security is treated as a priority for the coming decades, and at the same time energy production from the vast majority conventional energy sources does not meet environmental protection criteria. Hence, the need to use renewable energy sources (RES), which can largely satisfy energy needs. The aim of the study was to identify possibilities of creating autonomous energy regions (ARE) in Poland, based on renewable energy sources. Attention was paid to the role and significance of the potential of rural areas in this respect, taking into account the possibilities of increasing energy production from these sources in individual regions of Poland. The research was conducted on a regional level (division into voivodships) and on a local level (division into powiats, which form voivodships). When assessing the potential for constructing ARE based on RES, the following energy sources were taken into account: water, wind, sun, biogas and biomass. It was found that the highest RES potential versus energy consumption can be obtained in powiats where the share of arable land and forests exceeds 80%. The research showed that in most regions of Poland (powiats, voivodships), there is a large potential for obtaining additional energy from RES, which would cover over 73% of the country’s demand for electricity. This could be the basis for building energy independence on a local scale. The results of the study indicated that as many as seven regions would become self-sufficient in terms of electricity demand.

Impact of Restrictive Measures during the Covid-19 Pandemic on Aerosol Pollution of the Atmosphere of the Moscow Megalopolis

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to self-isolation and business interruptions around the world. On the basis of measurements of concentrations of an indicator of aerosol emissions from fuel combustion products-black carbon-it is shown that the decrease in economic activity had a significant effect on the pollution of the Moscow atmosphere. The decrease in the intensity of the traffic and the change in the operating mode of industrial and heat-and-power enterprises of the city during the period of restrictive measures in the spring of 2020 were determined by the dynamics of the daily and weekly trend of black carbon levels. The decrease in the fraction of fossil fuel combustion at this time correlates with the increased contribution of biomass combustion in the residential sector and during agricultural fires around the megalopolis. Changes in the intensity and direction of sources of high concentrations of black carbon were observed during the recovery of economic activity in the summer of 2020. The decrease in the concentration of black carbon and fine particles less than 2.5 μm in size (PM2.5) in the urban atmosphere reflects a decline in economic activity and an improvement in air quality and conditions for maintaining the health of the Moscow population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cost Effective Solvothermal Method to Synthesize Zn-Doped TiO2 Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic and Photocatalytic Degradation Applications

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a commonly used wide bandgap semiconductor material for energy and environmental applications. Although it is a promising candidate for photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications, its overall performance is still limited due to low mobility of porous TiO2 and its limited spectral response. This limitation can be overcome by several ways, one of which is doping that could be used to improve the light harvesting properties of TiO2 by tuning its bandgap. TiO2 doped with elements, such as alkali-earth metals, transition metals, rare-earth elements, and nonmetals, were found to improve its performance in the photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications. Among the doped TiO2 nanomaterials, transition metal doped TiO2 nanomaterials perform efficiently by suppressing the relaxation and recombination of charge carriers and improving the absorption of light in the visible region. This work reports the possibility of enhancing the performance of TiO2 towards Dye Sensitised Solar Cells (DSSCs) and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) by employing Zn doping on TiO2 nanomaterials. Zn doping was carried out by varying the mole percentage of Zn on TiO2 by a facile solvothermal method and the synthesized nanomaterials were characterised. The XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) studies confirmed the presence of anatase phase of TiO2 in the synthesized nanomaterials, unaffected by Zn doping. The UV-Visible spectrum of Zn-doped TiO2 showed a red shift which could be attributed to the reduced bandgap resulted by Zn doping. Significant enhancement in Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) was observed with 1.0 mol% Zn-doped TiO2 based DSSC, which was 35% greater than that of the control device. In addition, it showed complete degradation of MB within 3 h of light illumination and rate constant of 1.5466×10−4s−1 resembling zeroth order reaction. These improvements are attributed to the reduced bandgap energy and the reduced charge recombination by Zn doping on TiO2.

A Low-Cost Sustainable Energy Solution for Pristine Mountain Areas of Developing Countries

The rise in energy requirements and its shortfall in developing countries have affected socioeconomic life. Communities in remote mountainous regions in Asia are among the most affected by energy deprivation. This study presents the feasibility of an alternate strategy of supplying clean energy to the areas consisting of pristine mountains and forest terrain. Southeast Asia has a much-diversified landscape and varied natural resources, including abundant water resources. The current study is motivated by this abundant supply of streams which provides an excellent environment for run-of-river micro vertical axis water turbines. However, to limit the scope of the study, the rivers and streams flowing in northern areas of Pakistan are taken as the reference. The study proposes a comprehensive answer for supplying low-cost sustainable energy solutions for such remote communities. The suggested solution consists of a preliminary hydrodynamic design using Qblade, further analysis using numerical simulations, and finally, experimental testing in a real-world environment. The results of this study show that the use of microturbines is a very feasible option considering that the power generation density of the microturbine comes out to be approximately 2100 kWh/year/m2, with minimal adverse effects on the environment.

Solar Driven Photocatalytic Activity of Porphyrin Sensitized TiO2: Experimental and Computational Studies

The absence of a secure long-term sustainable energy supply is recognized as a major worldwide technological challenge. The generation of H₂ through photocatalysis is an environmentally friendly alternative that can help solve the energy problem. Thus, the development of semiconductor materials that can absorb solar light is an attractive approach. TiO₂ has a wide bandgap that suffers from no activity in the visible spectrum, limiting its use of solar radiation. In this research, the semiconductor absorption profile was extended into the visible region of the solar spectrum by preparing porphyrin-TiO₂ (P-TiO₂) composites of meso-tetra(4-bromophenyl)porphyrin (PP1) and meso-tetra(5-bromo-2-thienyl)porphyrin (PP2) and their In(III), Zn(II) and Ga(III) metal complexes. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations were performed on the porphyrins to gain insight into their electron injection capability. The results demonstrate that P-TiO₂ systems merit further in-depth study for applications that require efficient photocatalytic H₂ generation.

Overview of Biodiesel Combustion in Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Engine Emissions on the Sustainable Human–Environment Scenario

Air pollution is a precursor to many health issues such as difficulty breathing, asthma, lung and heart diseases, and cancer. This study presents a concise view of biodiesel combustion in mitigating pollutant emissions which are generated by the combustion of fossil fuels, thereby eliminating the negative effects on human health and the environment. Gaseous pollutants such as carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide are found to be major exhaust emissions from vehicles running on fossil fuels. Excessive exposure to these pollutants was found to be a precursor to reductions in life expectancy via health complications in humans. Greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector were found to be 24% of total annual emissions, 74.5% of which came from the combustion of fossil fuel in road vehicles. Biodiesel combustion in vehicular engines is established to be a control technology in reducing gaseous pollutants toward building a sustainable and healthy human–environment scenario. The emissions reduction index from the United States National Biodiesel Board showed that the combustion of biodiesel wholly as a transportation fuel decreased total hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon, and sulfur emissions by 67%, 80%, 48%, and 100%, respectively. Evaluation of emission results from topical literature strongly suggests that the use of biodiesel is effective in the reduction in pollutants, which is beneficial to human and environmental sustainability.

Nanoferrites heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production from soybean and canola oil: a review

Fossil fuel depletion and pollution are calling for alternative, renewable energies such as biofuels. Actual challenges include the design of efficient processes and catalysts to convert various feedstocks into biofuels. Here, we review nanoferrites heterogeneous catalysts to produce biodiesel from soybean and canola oil. For that, transesterification is the main synthesis route and offers simplicity, cost-effectiveness, better process control, and high conversion yield. Catalysis with nanoferrites and composites allow to obtain yields higher than 95% conversion with less than 5.0 wt.% of catalyst loading at 80 °C in 1-2 h. More than 90% conversion yields can be achieved with a moderate alcohol/oil molar ratio, i.e., between 12:1 to 16:1. Catalyst recovery is easy due to the magnetic properties of nanoferrite, which can be effectively reused up to 4 times with less than 10% loss of catalytic efficiency.

Electronic and optical properties' tuning of phenoxazine-based D-A2-π-A1 organic dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells. DFT/TDDFT investigations

Modulation of molecular features of metal free organic dyes is important to present sensitizers with competing electronic and optical properties for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The D-A₂-π-A₁ molecular design based on phenothiazine skeleton (D) connected with benzothiadiazole (A₂) linked with furan π-spacer and acceptor unit of cynoacrylic acid (A₁) were fabricated and examined theoretically for possible use as DSSCs. Density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent density functional theory TDDFT were used to study the effect of additional donors on the photophysical properties of the dyes. Eight (8) different donor subunits were introduced at C7 of phenoxazine based dye skeleton to extend the π-conjugation, lower HOMO-LUMO gap (E_g) and improve photo-current efficiency of the dye sensitizer. All the dye sensitizers (except P3 and P4) exhibited capability of injecting electrons into the conduction band of the semiconductor (TiO₂) and regenerated via redox potential (I⁻/I₃^-) electrode. Attachment of 2-hexylthiophene (P2) remarkably lowered the E_g, extended π-electron delocalization, hence, gives higher absorption wavelength (λ_max) at 752 nm. The donor subunit containing 2-hexylthiophene (P2) presented the best chemical hardness, open circuit voltage (V_oc), and other comparable electronic properties, making P2 the best DSSC candidate amongst the optimized dyes. The reported dyes would be interesting for further experimental research.

Adoption and Promotion of Resilient Crops for Climate Risk Mitigation and Import Substitution: A Case Analysis of Cassava for South African Agriculture

Cassava is an important starchy root crop grown globally in tropical and subtropical regions. The ability of cassava to withstand difficult growing conditions and long-term storability underground makes it a resilient crop, contributing to food security. Historically, small-scale farmers have grown cassava as a minor crop in the far north-eastern part of the country. However, there is an initiative to scale up cassava production, with two discrete areas of interest: large-scale production for industrial starch, and expanding its footprint as a food security crop for small-scale farmers, especially in the context of climate change. In this scoping study, production, processing and marketing data for cassava were accessed from the FAO and US Commercial trade databases. Other domestic market and demand analysis case studies were also explored. There is no cassava data available for South Africa. The study indicated that South Africa imports more than 66,000 tons of starch annually, of which 33% is cassava starch, showing the availability of a local market. The potential of cassava for the South African economy is discussed. Significant industrial opportunities exist for the production and use of cassava in South Africa. However, the realization of these opportunities will depend on the reliable supply of good quality cassava roots. However, the lack of a well-established cassava research program, and a lack of an existing value chain for the industrial scale cassava production and processing are barriers to the development of cassava industry in South Africa. As the initial step to the development of a successful cassava industry, high potential germplasm is imported, characterized and bred for local conditions to ensure the sustainable primary production of cassava. Subsequently, industrial value chains will need to be developed as the optimization of the breeding and agronomy of the crop are completed, and yield potentials are quantified in the different regions of the country.

Deep Learning for Wave Energy Converter Modeling Using Long Short-Term Memory

Accurate forecasts of ocean waves energy can not only reduce costs for investment, but it is also essential for the management and operation of electrical power. This paper presents an innovative approach based on long short-term memory (LSTM) to predict the power generation of an economical wave energy converter named “Searaser”. The data for analysis is provided by collecting the experimental data from another study and the exerted data from a numerical simulation of Searaser. The simulation is performed with Flow-3D software, which has high capability in analyzing fluid–solid interactions. The lack of relation between wind speed and output power in previous studies needs to be investigated in this field. Therefore, in this study, wind speed and output power are related with an LSTM method. Moreover, it can be inferred that the LSTM network is able to predict power in terms of height more accurately and faster than the numerical solution in a field of predicting. The network output figures show a great agreement, and the root mean square is 0.49 in the mean value related to the accuracy of the LSTM method. Furthermore, the mathematical relation between the generated power and wave height was introduced by curve fitting of the power function to the result of the LSTM method.

Renewable biohydrogen production from lignocellulosic biomass using fermentation and integration of systems with other energy generation technologies

Biohydrogen is a clean and renewable source of energy. It can be produced by using technologies such as thermochemical, electrolysis, photoelectrochemical and biological, etc. Among these technologies, the biological method (dark fermentation) is considered more sustainable and ecofriendly. Dark fermentation involves anaerobic microbes which degrade carbohydrate rich substrate and produce hydrogen. Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundantly available raw material and can be utilized as an economic and renewable substrate for biohydrogen production. Although there are many hurdles, continuous advancements in lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment technology, microbial fermentation (mixed substrate and co-culture fermentation), the involvement of molecular biology techniques, and understanding of various factors (pH, T, addition of nanomaterials) effect on biohydrogen productivity and yield render this technology efficient and capable to meet future energy demands. Further integration of biohydrogen production technology with other products such as bio-alcohol, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and methane have the potential to improve the efficiency and economics of the overall process. In this article, various methods used for lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment, technologies in trends to produce and improve biohydrogen production, a coproduction of other energy resources, and techno-economic analysis of biohydrogen production from lignocellulosic biomass are reviewed.

Synthesis of Ni2P/CdS and Pt/TiO2 nanocomposite for photoreduction of CO2 into methanol

It is a great challenge to convert thermochemically stable CO₂ into value-added products such as CH₄, CH₃OH, CO via utilizing solar energy. It is also a difficult task to develop an efficient catalyst for the reduction of CO₂. We have designed and synthesized noble metal-free photocatalytic nanostructure Ni₂P/CdS and Pt/TiO₂ for conversion of CO₂ to methanol in the presence of sacrificial donor triethylamine (TEA) and hydrogen peroxide. The synthesised catalysts physicochemical properties were studied by using several spectroscopic techniques like; XRD, UV-DRS, XPS, TEM, SEM and PL. Quantification of methanol by GC–MS showed encouraging results of 1424.8 and 2843 μmol g⁻¹ of catalyst for Pt/TiO₂ and 5 wt% Ni₂P/CdS composites, respectively. Thus, Ni₂P/CdS is a promising catalyst with higher productivity and significant selectivity than in-vogue catalysts.

CO2 gas separation using mixed matrix membranes based on polyethersulfone/MIL-100(Al)

The excessive use of natural gas and other fossil fuels by the industrial sector leads to the production of great quantities of gas pollutants, including CO2, SO2, and NO x . Consequently, these gases increase the temperature of the earth, producing global warming. Different strategies have been developed to help overcome this problem, including the utilization of separation membrane technology. Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) are hybrid membranes that combine an organic polymer as a matrix and an inorganic compound as a filler. In this study, MMMs were prepared based on polyethersulfone (PES) and a type of metal–organic framework (MOF), Materials of Institute Lavoisier (MIL)-100(Al) [Al3O(H2O)2(OH)(BTC)2] (BTC: benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylate) using a phase inversion method. The influence on the properties of the produced membranes by addition of 5, 10, 20, and 30% MIL-100(Al) (w/w) to the PES was also investigated. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated that no chemical interactions occurred between PES and MIL-100(Al). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed agglomeration at PES/MIL-100(Al) 30% (w/w) and that the thickness of the dense layer increased up to 3.70 µm. After the addition of MIL-100(Al) of 30% (w/w), the permeability of the MMMs for CO2, O2, and N2 gases was enhanced by approximately 16, 26, and 14 times, respectively, as compared with a neat PES membrane. The addition of MIL-100(Al) to PES increased the thermal stability of the membranes, reaching 40°C as indicated by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). An addition of 20% MIL-100(Al) (w/w) increased membrane selectivity for CO2/O2 from 2.67 to 4.49 (approximately 68.5%), and the addition of 10% MIL-100(Al) increased membrane selectivity for CO2/N2 from 1.01 to 2.12 (approximately 110.1%).

COVID-19's lockdown effect on air quality in Indian cities using air quality zonal modeling

The complete lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the improvement of air quality across the countries particularly in developing countries including India. This study aims to assess the air quality by monitoring major atmospheric pollutants such as AOD, CO, PM_2.5, NO₂, O₃ and SO₂ in 15 major cities of India using Air Quality Zonal Modeling. The study is based on two different data sources; (a) grid data (MODIS- Terra, MERRA-2, OMI and AIRS, Global Modeling and Assimilation Office, NASA) and (b) ground monitoring station data provided by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) / State Pollution Control Board (SPCB). The remotely sensed data demonstrated that the concentration of PM_2.5 has declined by 14%, about 30% of NO₂ in million-plus cities, 2.06% CO, SO₂ within the range of 5 to 60%, whereas the concentration of O₃ has increased by 1 to 3% in majority of cities compared with pre lockdown. On the other hand, CPCB/SPCB data showed more than 40% decrease in PM_2.5 and 47% decrease in PM₁₀ in north Indian cities, more than 35% decrease in NO₂ in metropolitan cities, more than 85% decrease in SO₂ in Chennai and Nagpur and more than 17% increase in O₃ in five cities amid 43 days pandemic lockdown. The restrictions of anthropogenic activities have substantial effect on the emission of primary atmospheric pollutants.

Association between county-level coal-fired power plant pollution and racial disparities in preterm births from 2000 to 2018

Coal has historically been a primary energy source in the United States. The byproducts of coal combustion, such as fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), have increasingly been associated with adverse birth outcomes. The goal of this study was to leverage the current progressive transition away from coal in the United States (U.S.) to assess whether coal PM_2.5 is associated with preterm birth rates and whether this association differs by maternal Black/White race/ethnicity. Using a novel dispersion modeling approach, we estimated PM_2.5 pollution from coal-fired power plants nationwide at the county-level during the study period (2000-2018). We also obtained county-level preterm birth rates for non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black mothers. We used a generalized additive mixed model to estimate the relationship between coal PM_2.5 and preterm birth rates, overall and stratified by maternal race. We included a natural spline to allow for non-linearity in the concentration-response curve. We observed a positive non-linear relationship between coal PM_2.5 and preterm birth rate, which plateaued at higher levels of pollution. We also observed differential associations by maternal race; the association was stronger for White women, especially at higher levels of coal PM_2.5 (> 2.0 μg/m³). Our findings suggest that the transition away from coal may reduce preterm birth rates in the U.S.

Generation of a Highly Efficient Electrode for Ethanol Oxidation by Simply Electrodepositing Palladium on the Oxygen Plasma-Treated Carbon Fiber Paper

In this study, a highly efficient carbon-supported Pd catalyst for the direct ethanol fuel cell was developed by electrodepositing nanostructured Pd on oxygen plasma-treated carbon fiber paper (Pd/pCFP). The oxygen plasma treatment has been shown to effectively remove the surface organic contaminants and add oxygen species onto the CFP to facilitate the deposition of nano-structured Pd on the surface of carbon fibers. Under the optimized and controllable electrodeposition method, nanostructured Pd of ~10 nm can be easily and evenly deposited onto the CFP. The prepared Pd/pCFP electrode exhibited an extraordinarily high electrocatalytic activity towards ethanol oxidation, with a current density of 222.8 mA mg−1 Pd. Interestingly, the electrode also exhibited a high tolerance to poisoning species and long-term stability, with a high ratio of the forward anodic peak current density to the backward anodic peak current density. These results suggest that the Pd/pCFP catalyst may be a promising anodic material for the development of highly efficient direct alcohol fuel cells.