Multifunctional "White Graphene" for Solid-State Energy Storage Systems

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Internationally, Canada has held a significant lead in clean energy conversion and storage technologies for decades. In 2014, Canada ranked sixth in the world for investment in new domestic clean energy storage projects. In this regard, electrochemical energy storage systems such as Li-ion batteries (LIBs) and supercapacitors are under serious consideration as efficient and less polluting power-storage systems. Their potential applications are in electric vehicles and mobile miniaturized electronic devices. However, for their widespread utilization and commercialization, markets demand a solid-state and flexible design with an enhancement of their energy/power density and safety. These technical barriers are associated with the structure of the main compartments of these systems, including unsafe and voluminous liquid electrolytes. Thus, the main goal for this 5-year proposed research is to develop solid-state, multifunctional electrolyte membranes based on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanostructures with high performance and durability. H-BN, known as “white graphene”, has a similar crystal structure to graphene and has attracted a great deal of attention from the scientific community because of its distinct physical and chemical advantages over graphene. Specifically, due to having a permanent electrically insulating nature, h-BN has a strong potential to be manipulated and applied in LIBs and supercapacitors as a reliable solid-state electrolyte and produce safe, fully solid-state clean-energy storage systems with high energy and power densities.******It is expected that the results of the proposed research will provide the breakthrough needed to make solid-state energy storage systems commercially viable technologies through performance and durability improvements. The success of the proposed research and the training of highly qualified personnel (HQP) will contribute highly needed technology and expertise to the fields of electrochemical engineering and materials science, required for the business activities and enterprises of energy and electronics industries in Canada. This will strengthen the position of Canadian companies specializing in clean energy within a competitive global market and contribute to the development of a knowledge-based Canadian economy. In this way, Canada will maintain its place as an international leader in the development of two emerging technologies (i.e., nanotechnology and clean energy) within a fast-paced industry.