Thermoplastic Electrodes for Sensing and Batteries

该项目由美国国家科学基金会化学部的化学测量和成像计划资助。科罗拉多州立大学的Charles亨利和Andrew Warnock博士合作开发了由普通碳源制成的新电极材料。这些新电极可以改善从传感器到电池的各种电化学系统的性能。 虽然这项研究旨在专门开发电极材料的传感相关方面，但这项研究直接适用于所有需要快速，高电导率和低成本的碳电化学系统。从学生培训的角度来看，该项目为学生提供了一个极好的培训机会，使学生能够在材料化学，电分析化学，微流体和器件工程之间的接口工作。 对所得到的电极行为和特性进行基础研究，从而能够制定合理的设计原则。这项工作可能会为用于测试和监测人类和环境健康的传感器和电池提供新材料。作为该项目的一部分，为K-12学生制作了实用科学工具包，并广泛分发给科罗拉多的学校以及怀俄明州和南达科他州的经济困难学生。该项目的重点是开发一种由石墨/热塑性塑料混合物制成的新型复合碳电极，称为热塑性电极（TPE）。TPE具有非常好的电化学行为。虽然基本的电极性能已经被表征，但还不清楚为什么TPE的性能比传统的玻璃碳和丝网印刷碳（SPC）电极好得多。科学假设是，这些电极中的石墨含有高密度的缺陷和边缘部位，以及可能的氧部分，从而产生卓越的性能。通过充分表征这种材料，可以了解导致上级性能的关键特性。还可以证明对高级感测应用的适用性。除了研究活动外，亨利教授还与科罗拉多州立大学自然科学学院教育推广中心（CNS-CEO）的Warnock博士合作，使用电极材料和纸基微流体设备的组合创建动手科学套件。CNS-CEO是一项K-12外展活动，为高中生举办定期访问，让他们接触STEM活动，并向怀俄明州和南达科他州经济条件不利的学校发送实用工具包。

This project is funded by the Chemical Measurement and Imaging Program of the Chemistry Division at the National Science Foundation. Drs. Charles Henry and Andrew Warnock of Colorado State University collaborate to develop new electrode materials made from common carbon sources. These new electrodes may improve the performance of a variety of electrochemical systems ranging from sensors to batteries. While this research seeks specifically to develop sensing related aspects of the electrode materials, this research applies directly to all carbon electrochemical systems where fast speeds, high conductivity ,and low cost are needed. Significant gains could also be made in low cost materials for batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors and other energy storage/generation devices.From a student training perspective, the project provides an excellent training opportunity for students to work at the interface between materials chemistry, electroanalytical chemistry, microfluidics, and device engineering. Fundamental studies of the resulting electrode behavior and characteristics are performed, enabling the development of rationale design principles. The effort may provide new materials for sensors and batteries used in testing and monitoring human and environmental health. As part of this project, hands-on science kits for K-12 students are created and distributed broadly to Colorado schools as well as economically disadvantaged students in Wyoming and South Dakota. This project focuses on developing a new type of composite carbon electrode made from a graphite/thermoplastic mixture referred to as thermoplastic electrodes (TPEs). TPEs have very good electrochemical behavior. While the basic electrode properties have been characterized, it is not understood why TPEs perform so much better than traditional glassy carbon and screen printed carbon (SPC) electrodes. The scientific hypothesis is that the graphite in these electrodes contain a high density of defect and edge sites as well as possible oxygen moieties that give rise to the exceptional performance. By fully characterizing this material, it may be possible to understand key properties leading to the superior performance. The applicability to advanced sensing applications may also be demonstrated. In addition to the research activities, Professor Henry collaborates with Dr. Warnock of the College of Natural Sciences Center for Education Outreach (CNS-CEO) at Colorado State University, to create hands-on science kits using a combination of the electrode materials and paper-based microfluidic devices. The CNS-CEO is a K-12 outreach activity that hosts regular visits for high school students to expose them to STEM activities as well as sending out hands-on kits to schools in economically disadvantaged environments in Wyoming and South Dakota.