Multifunctional Electrospun Nanocomposite Fibres from Biobased Polymers and Graphene

该申请提出了一项综合研究计划，用于生产由生物基聚合物和石墨烯组成的高性能静电纺纳米复合纤维。主要感兴趣的聚合物是生物基聚酯和木质素，因为它们是可再生的，商业上成本低，木质素是碳纤维生产的优秀前体。石墨烯是一种二维碳片，它是透明的，是已知最薄的材料之一，厚度只有一个原子。它激发了21世纪人们对材料科学和工程的巨大兴趣。在电纺丝纤维中加入少量石墨烯有望显著改善纳米复合纤维的导电性和导热性、强度和热稳定性。用金属纳米粒子对石墨烯进行进一步改性有望产生更高价值应用的先进纳米复合纤维。碳纤维将由木质素基静电纺丝纤维碳化而成。设计的纤维的性能将被评估用于超细空气过滤器和可持续能源存储设备。生成的材料的工程性能也将评估为其他创新的工业应用。***能源更新和环境管理问题是人类面临的主要挑战。我们正齐心协力寻找可再生和清洁的能源，力求：(A)不依赖于化石燃料，(b)更可持续和更环保，以及(c)排放更少的温室气体。因此，用可再生材料制造储能装置是一致的，也是非常有利的。世界各地的其他关键环境问题之一是空气质量：(i)室内空气质量是几个家庭、工业和卫生部门的一个重要因素；（ii）减少空气污染物的排放，包括工业和车辆排放的有害气体和颗粒物，是空气质量控制计划的关键要素。在加拿大，尽管在减少化学蒸汽方面取得了进展，但尚未实现减少微粒物质和氨排放的目标（加拿大环境部全国空气污染物排放）。该应用的目标是开发先进的生物纳米复合纤维垫，其设计用于具有增强分离效率的高级空气过滤器。我们的发现目标是整合跨学科的见解和知识，将纳米技术与材料科学结合起来，寻找更有效，更具竞争力和可持续的纳米复合纤维，用于创新应用，以改善社会。该项目将为HQP提供一个激励人心的培训环境，使他们成为杰出的科学家，并为进一步的进步和应用奠定基础。

This application proposes a comprehensive research program for producing high performance electrospun nanocomposite fibres, comprised of biobased polymers and graphene. Polymers of primary interest are biobased polyesters and lignin, since they are renewable, commercially available at a low cost and lignin is an excellent precursor for carbon fibre production. Graphene, a two dimensional carbon sheet, is transparent and one of the thinnest materials known, with a thickness of one atom. It has inspired huge interest in material science and engineering in the 21st century. Incorporation of a small percentage of graphene with electrospun fibres is expected to significantly improve the electrical and thermal conductivities, strength and thermal stability of nanocomposite fibres. Additional modification of graphene with metal nanoparticles is expected to result in further advanced nanocomposite fibres for high value applications. The carbon fibres will be produced by carbonization of the lignin-based electrospun fibres. Performance of the designed fibres will be evaluated for ultra-fine air filters and sustainable energy storage devices. Engineered properties of generated materials will also be evaluated for other innovative industrial applications. ***     Energy renewal and environmental management issues are the leading challenges facing humanity. A concerted effort is going on to find renewable and clean sources of energy which: (a) are independent of fossil fuels, (b) are more sustainable and environmental friendly and (c) emit less greenhouse gases. Therefore, it is consistent and highly advantageous to also have energy storage devices made from renewable materials. One of the other critical environmental issues around the world is air quality: (i) Indoor air quality is an important factor for several domestic, industrial, and health sectors; (ii) Reduction of air pollutant emissions, which include hazardous gases and particulate matters from industries and vehicles, is a key element of air quality control programs. In Canada, despite progress towards the reduction of chemical vapors, the reduction of particulate matter and ammonia emissions has not yet been achieved (National Air Pollutant Emissions, Environment Canada). The goal of the proposed application is to develop advanced bionanocomposite fibre mats which are designed for superior air filters with enhanced separation efficiency. Our discovery goal is to integrate cross-disciplinary insights and knowledge to combine nanotechnology with materials science to find more efficient, competitive and sustainable nanocomposite fibres for innovative applications for the betterment of society. The project will provide HQP with a stimulating training environment for their development as outstanding scientists and a foundation for further advances and applications.