Fabrication of graphene based nanomaterials from zenyatta graphite for energy and environmental applications

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Graphene, a two-dimensional sheet comprising a single layer of graphite, possesses unique properties and strong potential for myriad applications. According to Allied Market Research, the global graphene market is expected to garner $149.1 million by 2020, and a 44% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is predicted during the 2014 - 2020 forecast period. However, there is currently no clean and cost-effective technology for the mass production of graphene and graphene derivatives. Graphite is a major source for the significant production of graphene and graphene-based nanomaterials. Zenyatta Ventures Ltd., based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, is presently developing the large, unique igneous-related Albany Graphite Deposit in Northeastern Ontario, which contains a total resource of ~1 million tonnes of graphitic carbon. No other similar igneous-related graphite deposit is currently known to exist anywhere in the world. This proposed NSERC-CRD/OCE-VIPII (Ontario Centres of Excellence - Voucher for Innovation and Productivity II) joint project arises directly from our current NSERC CRD project, which was initiated in May 2015. We have successfully synthesized graphene oxide (GO), invented a new process for the fabrication of fluorine-doped graphene oxide (F-GO), and synthesized a novel three-dimensional (3D) interconnected reduced graphene oxide (IC-rGO). The primary goal of this proposed joint project is two-fold: (i) to develop and optimize technologies for the production of GO, F-GO and IC-rGO; and (ii) to scale up the production process, from our current one-gram small lab scale to a 100-gram large lab scale, with high quality control for energy and environmental applications. This joint project aligns well with the standard industry practice of scaling-up technologies of this nature; and is the critical next step to ensure that this value creation remains in Canada. The success of Zenyatta's graphite project will provide excellent job and business opportunities across Northwestern Ontario, as well as Canada, since currently there is no graphite mine production in North America.******