Development of characterization methods for multicomponent mixed phase materials for application in energy and environmental technologies

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The environmental, energy and agricultural sciences all struggle with the structural complexity of naturally occurring mixed-phase materials such as soil, oil and charcoal; furthermore, such materials are encountered in manufacturing as in the polymer, alternative energy and biofuel sectors. Multicomponent mixed-phase materials are typically difficult to characterize without resorting to some degree of separation. It is essential to study these systems as they are, as the interaction between the components is ultimately of fundamental and practical interest. As both bulk and interfacial phenomena are of interest, characterization methods need to be robust to phase heterogeneity while maintaining high sensitivity, quantitative accuracy and ideally permits observation of dynamic phenomena. Frequently chemical probes need to be developed within this context to achieve these goals. A deep understanding into the origin of material properties will ultimately lead to design principles to make materials of with desired properties. The emerging crises of climate change, energy scarcity and food insecurity faced by our society has laid before the material sciences some important tasks, where such understanding will be paramount. Durable materials will need to be produced on a large scale, with the lowest energy cost and the smallest possible environmental impact. Also, solutions will be required to mediate the impact of the legacy environmental damage done to date. Adapting the polymer industry to sustainable, biologically derived, feedstocks, restoring soil fertility with biochar, and reducing GHG and energy intensity of the oil industry would factor highly into such an equation. The main goal of my NSERC DG program is to develop NMR protocols that are quantitative and suited to characterize structure and dynamics in multicomponent mixed-phase materials. Such methods will be essential in the development of new materials and processing technologies that seek: i) to reduce the environmental impact of the fossil fuel industry, ii) to minimize pollution associated with conventional plastics; and iii) to achieve maximal scale carbon sequestration with biochar with the added benefit of restoring soil fertility. I have established collaborations in: (a) the oil services sector (Schlumberger and Petrobras) aiming to improve bitumen stability and transport properties; (b) the plastics sector (Flexahopper Plastics) to develop processable biodegradable polymers establishing the Green Polymer and Technology Centre; and (c) agricultural researchers biochar soil amendment strategies to increase soil carbon and nutrient retention. My role in these endeavours is to develop the NMR characterization methodologies to study these materials.