Advanced Nano-material Integration in Power Factor Correction Control of Converters for Energy-efficient and Sustainable Operation
J. Environ. Nanotechnol., Volume 14, No 4 (December 2025) pp. 120-128
Abstract
The growing demand for energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable power conversion systems has emphasized the importance of power factor correction (PFC) techniques in modern electronic and renewable energy applications. This work explores the implementation and performance evaluation of PFC control strategies in widely utilized DC–DC converter topologies, namely Boost, Ćuk, and SEPIC converters. These converters are extensively adopted in power electronic systems for their capability to maintain stable output voltage despite fluctuations in input supply and load variations. While the conventional Boost converter is often favored for PFC because of its structural simplicity and satisfactory efficiency, topologies such as Ćuk and SEPIC offer enhanced voltage conversion flexibility and superior dynamic response, making them attractive alternatives in advanced energy systems. In this study, the converters are modeled and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink to assess their performance under different operating conditions. The analysis focuses on critical parameters such as output voltage regulation, conversion efficiency, input current harmonic distortion, and overall power quality. A key contribution of this work is the integration of nano-material-based components, which not only improve switching characteristics and thermal stability but also contribute to reduced losses and longer device lifetime, thereby promoting environmental sustainability. The comparative results demonstrate that, when integrated with nano-material enhancements, DC–DC converters with PFC control can achieve near-unity power factor, minimized total harmonic distortion, and improved system efficiency. These attributes make them well-suited for applications in renewable energy systems, smart grids, and environmentally conscious electronic devices. Ultimately, this study provides a comprehensive assessment of Boost, Ćuk, and SEPIC converters for sustainable energy conversion, highlighting their role in addressing global energy challenges while aligning with environmental and technological advancements
Full Text
Reference
Gazafrudi, S. M. M., Langerudy, A. T., Fuchs, E. F. and Al-Haddad, K., Power quality issues in railway electrification: A comprehensive perspective, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., 62(5), 3081–3090(2015).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2014.2386794
Haghbin, S., Lundmark, S., Alaküla, M. and Carlson, O., Grid-connected integrated battery chargers in vehicle applications: Review and new solution, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., 60(2), 459–473(2013).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2012.2187414
Erickson, R. W. and Maksimović, D., Fundamentals of Power Electronics, 2nd ed., Springer., 2001.
https://doi.org/10.1007/b100747
Wang, H. and Blaabjerg, F., Reliability of capacitors for DC-link applications in power electronic converters—An overview, IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., 50(5), 3569–3578(2014).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2014.2308357
Stevens, J. L., Shaffer, J. S. and Vandenham, J. T., The service life of large aluminum electrolytic capacitors: Effects of construction and application, IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., 38(5), 1441–1446(2002).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2002.802922
Wen, H., Xiao, W., Wen, X. and Armstrong, P., Analysis and evaluation of DC-link capacitors for high-power-density electric vehicle drive systems, IEEE Trans. Veh. Technol., 61(7), 2950–2964(2012).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TVT.2012.2206082
Wang, R., Fei, W., Boroyevich, D., Burgos, R., Lai, R., Ning, P. and Rajashekara, K., A high power density single-phase PWM rectifier with active ripple energy storage, IEEE Trans. Power Electron., 26(5), 1430–1443(2011).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2010.2090670
Kai, Y., Ruan, X., Mao, X. Ye, Z., Reducing storage capacitor of a DCM boost PFC converter, IEEE Trans. Power Electron., 27(1), 151–160(2012).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2011.2105507
Sun, Y., Liu, Y., Su, M., Xiong, W. and Yang, J., Review of active power decoupling topologies in single-phase systems, IEEE Trans. Power Electron., 31(7), 4778–4794(2015).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2015.2477882
Serban, I., Power decoupling method for single-phase H-bridge inverters with no additional power electronics, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., 62(8), 4805–4813(2015).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2015.2399274
Ohnuma, Y., Orikawa, K. and Itoh, J. I., A single-phase current-source PV inverter with power decoupling capability using an active buffer, IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., 51(1), 531–538(2015).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2014.2347312
Sun, Y., Liu, Y., Su, M., Li, X. and Yang, J., Active power decoupling method for single-phase current-source rectifier with no additional active switches, IEEE Trans. Power Electron., 31(8), 5644–5653(2016).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2015.2494742
Singh, B., Singh, B. N., Chandra, A., Al-Haddad, K. Pandey, A. and Kothari, D. P., A review of single-phase improved power quality AC-DC converters, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., 50(5), 962–981(2003).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2003.817609
Garcia, O., Cobos, J. A., Prieto, R., Alou, P. and Uceda, J., Single-Phase Power Factor Correction: A Survey, IEEE Trans. Power Electron., 18(3), 749–755(2003).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2003.810856
Kuo, H. Y. and Chen, T. H., Rigorous evaluation of the voltage unbalance due to high-speed railway demands, IEEE Trans. Veh. Technol., 47(4), 1385–1389(1998).
https://doi.org/10.1109/25.728533
Sainz, L., Monjo, L., Riera, S. and Pedra, J., Study of the Steinmetz circuit influence on ac traction system resonance, IEEE Trans. Power Delivery., 27(4), 2295–2303(2012).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TPWRD.2012.2211084
Mariscotti, A., Direct measurement of power quality over railway networks with results of a 16.7-Hz network, IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas., 60(5), 1604–1612(2011).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TIM.2010.2089170
Hsiao, Y. T. and Lin, K. C., Measurement and characterization of harmonics on the Taipei MRT DC system, IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., 40(6), 1700–1704(2004).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2004.836224
Heising, C., Bartelt, R., Oettmeier, M., Staudt, V. and Steimel, A., Analysis of single-phase 50-kW 16.7-Hz PI-controlled four-quadrant line-side converter under different grid characteristics, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., 57(2), 523–531(2010).
https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2009.2032436
Balachander, K., Amudha, A., Ramkumar, G. S., Emayavaramban, G., Divyapriya, S., Nagaveni, P., Design and analysis of modified CUK converter for electric hybrid vehicle, Mater. Today. Proc., 45, 1691–1695(2020).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.08.566
Ramakrishnan, A. and Balachander, K., Performance Analysis of Electric Vehicle Battery Management System using Interleaved Converter Topologies, 2025 5th Int. Conf. Trends in Mater. Sci. Inventive Mater. (ICTMIM), XXXX, 26-31(2025).
https://doi.org/10.1109/ICTMIM65579.2025.10988183
Etier, I., Balachander, K., Kavitha, G., Sureshkumaar, G. and Kannan, N., Design and Performance Assessment of SEPIC Converter for the Grid-Connected PV System, 2022 3rd Int. Conf. Smart Electron. Commun. (ICOSEC), 235-244(2022).
https://doi.org/10.1109/ICOSEC54921.2022.9951911
R. Yuvaraj, K. Balachander, A. Amudha, S. Kuppusamy, M. Siva Ramkumar, “Modified Interleaved Digital Power Factor Correction Based on The Sliding-Mode Approach”, International Journal of Control Theory and Applications Vol.10 (38) (2017), pp. 225-235.(Scopus Indexed)
