The novel poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based membranes were prepared using the two-step crosslinking approach: the chemical crosslinking of PVA using sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) (0–50 wt.%) and the thermal treatment (120–160 °C). The membrane composition and crosslinking temperature were optimized in terms of the mechanical and transport properties. The FTIR-ATR analysis revealed that the increase of the SSA concentration and crosslinking temperature resulted in the rise of the ester bond bands intensity due to the esterification reaction between PVA and SSA. As a consequence, the PVA-based membrane with 50 wt % SSA and crosslinked at 140 °C showed the reduced Young’s modulus (from 1266.2 MPa to 1.4 MPa) and elongation at break (from 316% to 66%) in comparison with the pure PVA membrane. The studied swelling behavior of the obtained membranes revealed significantly higher water sorption than that in methanol and propal-2-ol whatever the crosslinking temperature. The performed studies provide a new way of tailoring the membrane physicochemical properties, in particular, the surface hydrophilicity. In addition, the obtained results are crucial for the design and elaboration of the polymer membranes for the pervaporative separation of the liquid-liquid mixtures, in particular, for the alcohol dehydration.

The topic of the article considers the functioning of the renewable energy (RE) sector in Poland. This is really important in the context of the energy transition of the national economy because it influences the creation of modern technologies and increases the competitiveness and innovation of the country. Poland is in a process of energy transition where the RE sector has been developing for two decades. The authors aimed to research the RE sector improvement possibilities in Poland, including the influence of this sector on chosen social and economic aspects. Because of this research’s aim a critical situation assessment of RE in Poland was conducted and a survey of a group of experts in this field was also involved. Legal, physical and mental determinants and their influence on RE sector were looked into. In the legal determinant context a necessity to simplify relevant legislation acts in Poland was found. Undoubtedly there is a need to improve several legal acts, including the Distance Act. In physical determinants it was found that solar, wind and biomass energy have the biggest chances for development. In the case of mental determinants the authors paid attention to the need of educating the public about using and obtaining energy. It is also important to make people aware how the RE sector influences the low emission economy positively. This will improve the creation of new jobs and reduce the emissions of harmful substances to the environment.