Green Synthesis of Graphene-Based Nanomaterials and Graphene Quantum Dots from Unique Albany Graphite

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Due to its unique properties, graphene is considered to be a strategic material for clean technology industries. According to Zion Market Research, the global graphene market is anticipated to reach US$193.68 million by 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 35.0% between 2017 and 2022. However, there are currently no clean and cost-effective technologies available for the mass production of graphene and graphene derivatives. ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. is currently developing its unique igneous-hosted, fluid-derived Albany graphite deposit, which is contained within two large breccia pipes. In January 2018, ZEN announced that it would be focusing its future efforts on value-added graphene converted from Albany graphite in a vertically integrated structure. In light of the many potential graphene applications that ZEN is pursuing, one of the most important requirements for ZEN to achieve commercial success is to develop an environmentally compatible, low-cost, and facile exfoliation technique. The objectives of this NSERC CRD project are three-fold: (i) to effectively electrochemically exfoliate the Albany graphite to produce graphene and graphene-based nanomaterials; (ii) to efficiently produce graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with a high yield and good quality; and (iii) to characterize the fabricated graphene, graphene-based nanomaterials, and GQDs, while exploring their environmental and energy applications. ZEN recently completed a large diameter RCD drill program at the Albany Graphite Deposit resulted in the extraction of a 110-tonne bulk sample of graphite-mineralized material from the East Pipe. The company anticipates the production of up to six tonnes of high-quality graphene precursor material from this program. ZEN foresees using the results of this proposed NSERC CRD research to develop a scalable commercial exfoliation technique that will enable the conversion of significant quantities of Albany graphite to graphene-based nanomaterials. Commercial success in this regard would launch the full mining operation of the Albany Deposit, toward the creation of many highly sought after professionally skilled jobs for the Northeastern Ontario economy.