Utility on PEM-based Fuel Cells conversion into Energy

Green hydrogen produced from water electrochemical splitting powered by variable renewable energy is gaining recognition as a key layer in the society transition towards low-carbon energy, especially for decarbonization of hard-to-abate industrial sectors such as steel, refining and chemicals. As an energy carrier, green hydrogen can be flexibly converted and stored, enabling the long-term storage of large amounts of renewable energy, which is crucial for facilitating rapid, large-scale renewable energy development. The global total hydrogen indicates a need for 140-170 MtH₂eq by 2030 and 430-600 MtH₂eq by 2050 (Wang et al., 2025).  Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are essential components of both proton exchange membrane fuel cells and proton exchange membrane water electrolysers, two key technologies critical to the sustainable energy infrastructure of the future. It converts the chemical energy of hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy, providing a zero-emission alternative to conventional combustion engines. Meanwhile, PEMWEs enable the storage of renewable electricity in the form of hydrogen fuel through the electrolysis of water. In both applications, the PEM functions as a selective ion-conducting electrolyte, allowing proton transport while preventing reactant mixing, which is crucial for efficiency and safety.

To prepare, membrane thickness directly affects proton conductivity, gas cross-over and mechanical stability, making it one of the most important design parameters for PEM fuel cells. In Figure 7, experiments demonstrate that thinner membranes enhance structure design and improve their properties during the conversion of energy cells. A molecular level of understanding of PEM functionality further underscores the importance of membrane thickness. It consists of hydrophobic domains that absorb water, creating pathways for efficient proton conduction. Hydrogen energy is widely utilised in this application, ranging from hydrogen cars and drones to naval submarines and marine unmanned systems, showcasing its versatility and emphasising the importance of optimising PEMs to meet diverse application needs. If more thicker membrane structure, good in diffusion layer and enhancing mechanical robustness, but they incur higher voltage losses and reduced efficiency. In this study, fabricated Simple PEM-based fuel cells for hydrogen to electricity with varying thickness, compared their performance, and analysed their electrochemical behaviour using EIS (Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) to evaluate the effect of membrane thickness on device performance. Our results reveal that performance was the primary focus of our analysis. Durability testing results were not included, as it is widely recognised that thicker membranes generally provide better durability.

 

Figure: Preparation of PEM (Photon Exchange Membrane)-Based Fuel Cell for Energy Conversion

 

Procured Chemicals and Glassware

Material	Function
PEEK powder	Base polymer for the membrane
DMF (Dimethylformamide)	Solvent for dissolving PEEK
Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) or Chlorosulfonic acid (ClSO₃H)	Sulfonating agents
Deionized water	Washing and protonation
Glass plate	Casting surface for the membrane
Vacuum oven	For drying membranes

 

Procedure for the preparation of PEM-based fuel cells

Prepare a solution for the dissolution of PEEK in DMF. Dissolve PEEK in DMF at a ratio of about 10–20 wt%. Stir the mixture at 80–120°C for several hours (typically 6–12 hours) under reflux until a homogeneous solution is obtained. Pour the viscous PEEK/DMF solution onto a clean glass plate or Petri dish to cast the membrane. Use a doctor blade or film applicator to ensure even thickness (100–200 µm typical). Dry at room temperature overnight, then in a vacuum oven at 80°C to remove residual DMF. Sulfonation of PEEK (to make it proton-conductive). Immerse the dried PEEK film in chlorosulfonic acid (ClSO₃H) or concentrated sulfuric acid at room temperature or 50–60°C for 12–24 hours. This introduces –SO₃H groups, making it a SPEEK (sulfonated PEEK) membrane.

PEEK+SO₃→SPEEK

Washing and Protonation Wash the sulfonated membrane thoroughly with deionized water to remove acid. Optionally, treat with 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and then wash again with DI water. Store in DI water to keep hydrated.

Impacts of Waste Plastics on Soil Health: Reduction, Control, and Prevention Approaches

Plastic consumption has increased by around 180 times from 1950 to 2018, as reported in the Journal of Cleaner Materials. Plastic usage has increased in recent decades because of cheap manufacturing costs, resulting in the creation of approximately <11,000 tons of plastic in Indian states. It is risky for us to remove plastics from the entire soil because they hinder plant growth. So, it is critical to limit plastic consumption. Plastics are harmful; various types of plastics are available on the market, including PP, PVC, HDPE, LDPE, etc. On the other hand, Tritan plastics are useful because they are BPA-free.  Penskydialomospheres (good hopes in better format) are a powerful source for all of us. It is very urgent and needful for us. Properties such as high glas transition temperature and high melting temperature indicate their ability to maintain shape and strength at elevated temperatures. Currently, the conversion of this plastics form utilization to waste has becomes a worst for out environment. The generation of plastic waste in the world increased gradually due to the three main points are the ability of plastics to replace traditional materials such as ceramic, wood and glass, the easy access to consumer usage.   

One of the creative projects launched by Kachra Cafe is the conversion of garbage into useful items. Waste material provides several benefits due to its mass or density. The procedure is simple and effective. If you have a lot of rubbish, such as plastics, e-waste, or other types of waste, it can be turned into delicious meals or utilised to earn significant points. I also take it from them. Those points can also be redeemed for clothing, showcase goods, and paper-based utensils at their stores (in Bhopal).

Picture: Best out of Waste (Paper-Based Utensils) captured from Bhopal's Kachra Cafe.  

Effective management of waste plastics requires efficient collection, sorting, and recycling methods. Effective waste management infrastructure prevents plastics from polluting the soil through open dumping or landfill contamination. In agricultural fields, the regulated application and proper removal of plastic mulches are crucial to avoiding soil pollution.

Mitigation of soil pollution necessitates comprehensive, sustained strategies. Policies such as extended producer responsibility (EPR), plastic prohibitions, and soil conservation measures mitigate plastic pollution. Consistent surveillance of microplastics in soil, advancement of sustainable materials, and encouragement of circular economy practices are essential preventive strategies.

Here’s a state-wise breakdown of plastic waste generated (as collated from government statements and data summaries):

  

The management of this waste is governed by the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, which emphasize Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Recyclable vs. Non-Recyclable: Approximately 60% of India's plastic waste is recycled, largely through the informal sector. The remaining 40% often ends up in landfills or as environmental litter.

Single-Use Plastics (SUP): A significant portion of the waste stream consists of SUPs, which were subject to a national ban starting July 2022 to mitigate long-term ecological damage.

Energy Recovery: Non-recyclable plastics (RIC 3, 6, and 7) are increasingly diverted to Cement Kilns for co-processing or used in road construction to improve the bitumen binder properties.

Microplastics environmental release and concern for human health 

There are numerous disadvantages of plastic consumption in daily routine. Once it's started to sell out in terms of baggage or other forms of use of plastics, it can't be recycled back to its original monomer form easily. PP is a type of plastic that currently accounts for 0.7% of the world's recycling rate. It is lower than expected compared with other plastics such as LDPE, HDPE, PP, PVC, Tritan, etc. In the presence of sunlight, plastic releases a number of microplastics (5 mm) and is unable to degrade easily except in the marine environment. These microplastics are consumed by aquatic animals and make it difficult for them to survive. Humans are extremly postering plastics for daily consumption, once it enters the market, that may disrupt the human life cycle. There are no compensation issues by government programme, which includes health issued occured by plastics, even though there are no policies. Attention is mandatory, and there is awaited research on the reduction of plastics. Still, scientists are focusing on replacing, but there are million tons of plastic waste produced annually and dumped into specific areas, where nobody can survive. 

Agricultural soils receive 0.63-1.75 million microplastic (MP) particles/hectare/day due to sewage sludge application. Aged MP have higher sorption coefficients for contamination (heavy metals), Antibiotics, BPA, phthalates. In lab scales, there are some detection methods to understand the presence of MP in soil and water by FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and pyrolysis-GC/MS. Commonly trace elements and compounds or groups by these advanced techniques. The ubiquity of microplastics in environmental matrices and their confirmed presence in human tissues, combined with mechanistic evidence of oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption, highlights microplastics as an emerging global health concern requiring urgent regulatory and technological intervention.