Blue energy (or salinity gradient energy) is a renewable, carbon-neutral, and continuous electrical energy source that can be obtained via the reverse electrodialysis (RED) technique. The viability of this technology strictly depends on the performance and cost of the ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) that compose the RED units; designing the optimal membrane represents a critical challenge due to the complex relation between the performance, properties, and structure of the membrane. In this work, we present our findings on an electrospun cation-exchange membrane based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a strongly acidic cation exchange resin, with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an additive. We contrast it with a similar membrane produced with the more conventional casting solution technique. The electrospinning technique provides thinner and more homogeneous membranes than those synthesized via casting. The membranes were characterized using morphological, spectroscopic, and analytical methods. Scanning electron microscopy images depicted an intertwined nanofiber mesh within the membrane. We also synthesized the same electrospun cation exchange membrane without SDS; this membrane presented 63% less swelling, and a significant increase in the fixed charge density (CDfix) (119.6 meq/g) when compared to its casting solution counterpart (34 meq/g). This suggests an enhanced permselectivity, and thus better performance for blue energy generation in RED units.

This work reports the use of strategies based on Raman scattering for process monitoring of electrodeposited based S rich CuIn(S,Se)2 solar cells. Main vibrational modes in the Raman spectra are sensitive to features related to the crystalline quality, chemical composition and presence of secondary phases in the chalcopyrite layers, being all these features relevant for the optoelectronic properties of the final devices. Ex-situ and in-situ measurements during the electrochemical step allow the direct assessment on the formation of Se rich secondary phases which are related to the stoichiometry of the grown precursors. The analysis of the relative intensity of the spectral contribution from these phases allows early detection of deviations of precursor stoichiometry in relation to the optimum composition range in terms of solar cell efficiency. The applicability of the technique for the in-situ monitoring of the electrodeposition process is also discussed