Gel–Polymer Electrolytes Based on Poly(Ionic Liquid)/Ionic Liquid Networks

The use of electrically charged, polymerized ionic liquids (polyILs) offers opportunities for the development of gel–polymer electrolytes (GPEs), but the rational design of such systems is in its infancy. In this work, we compare the properties of polyIL/IL GPEs based on 1-butyl-3-(4-vinylbenzyl)imidazolium bis(trifluromethanesulfonyl)imide containing trapped ammonium-based protic ionic liquids (ILs) with an analogous series based on the electrically neutral host polymer 1-(4-vinylbenzyl)imidazole. The materials are synthesized by photopolymerizing ionic and neutral monomers in the presence of diethylmethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, [dema][TfO], diethylmethylammonium trifluoroacetate, [dema][TFAc], and diethylmethylammonium bis[trifluoromethanesulfonyl]imide, [dema][Tf2N], respectively. The resulting materials are characterized using electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and AC-impedance analysis. Spectroscopic analysis confirms that the ILs are distributed throughout the polymers, unless the GPE also contains poly(diallyldimethylammonium) bis[trifluoromethanesulfonyl]imide, when separation of the components occurs. The polyIL/IL GPEs are more electrochemically and thermally stable, and up to six times more conductive, than the materials based on the neutral host. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, we show that polyIL/IL gels can be 3D printed using readily available 3D-printing hardware

Sustainability of bioenergy – mapping the risks and benefits to inform future bioenergy systems

Bioenergy is widely included in energy strategies for its GHG mitigation potential. Bioenergy technologies will likely have to be deployed at scale to meet decarbonisation targets, and consequently biomass will have to be increasingly grown/mobilised. Sustainability risks associated with bioenergy may intensify with increasing deployment and where feedstocks are sourced through international trade. This research applies the Bioeconomy Sustainability Indicator Model (BSIM) to map and analyse the performance of bioenergy across 126 sustainability issues, evaluating 16 bioenergy case studies that reflect the breadth of biomass resources, technologies, energy vectors and bio-products. The research finds common trends in sustainability performance across projects that can inform bioenergy policy and decision making. Potential sustainability benefits are identified for People (jobs, skills, income, energy access); for Development (economy, energy, land utilisation); for Natural Systems (soil, heavy metals), and; for Climate Change (emissions, fuels). Also, consistent trends of sustainability risks where focus is required to ensure the viability of bioenergy projects, including for infrastructure, feedstock mobilisation, techno-economics and carbon stocks. Emission mitigation may be a primary objective for bioenergy, this research finds bioenergy projects can provide potential benefits far beyond emissions - there is an argument for supporting projects based on the ecosystem services and/or economic stimulation they may deliver. Also given the broad dynamics and characteristics of bioenergy projects, a rigid approach of assessing sustainability may be incompatible. Awarding ‘credit’ across a broader range of sustainability indicators in addition to requiring minimum performances in key areas, may be more effective at ensuring bioenergy sustainability

Sustainability of Bioenergy – Mapping the Risks & Benefits to Inform Future Bioenergy Systems

Bioenergy is widely included in energy strategies for its GHG mitigation potential. Bioenergy technologies will likely have to be deployed at scale to meet decarbonisation targets, and consequently biomass will have to be increasingly grown/mobilised. Sustainability risks associated with bioenergy may intensify with increasing deployment and where feedstocks are sourced through international trade. This research applies the Bioeconomy Sustainability Indicator Model (BSIM) to map and analyse the performance of bioenergy across 126 sustainability issues, evaluating 16 bioenergy case studies that reflect the breadth of biomass resources, technologies, energy vectors and bio-products. The research finds common trends in sustainability performance across projects that can inform bioenergy policy and decision making. Potential sustainability benefits are identified for People (jobs, skills, income, energy access); for Development (economy, energy, land utilisation); for Natural Systems (soil, heavy metals), and; for Climate Change (emissions, fuels). Also, consistent trends of sustainability risks where focus is required to ensure the viability of bioenergy projects, including for infrastructure, feedstock mobilisation, techno-economics and carbon stocks. Emission mitigation may be a primary objective for bioenergy, this research finds bioenergy projects can provide potential benefits far beyond emissions - there is an argument for supporting/promoting/replicating projects based on the ecosystem services and/or economic stimulation they may deliver. Also given the broad dynamics and characteristics of bioenergy projects, a rigid approach of assessing sustainability may be incompatible. Awarding ‘credit’ across a broader range of sustainability indicators in addition to requiring minimum performances in key areas, may be more effective at ensuring bioenergy sustainability