Synthesis of Graphene Nanomaterials and Development of Their Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites

石墨烯纳米材料的合成及其多功能聚合物纳米复合材料的开发

• 批准号: 555586-2020
• 负责人: Arjmand, MohammadMA
• 金额: $ 6.41万
• 依托单位: University of British Columbia
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=761713
• 关键词: Synthesis; Graphene; Nanomaterials; Development; Their

Graphene nanomaterials are monolayers of carbon atoms, featuring notable physical properties, such as high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, and thermal and chemical resistance. These properties, coupled with its large surface area, have made graphene an attractive base material in a myriad of scientific research fields as well as industrial applications, such as energy, electronics, defense, automotive, aerospace, construction, drug delivery, diagnostic, among others. The primary precursor material for the synthesis of graphene is graphite, which is a native element mineral found in igneous rocks. Indeed, graphite is a stack of numerous layers of graphene attached to each other with molecular forces. To synthesize graphene, the layers of graphite should get exfoliated. ZEN Graphene Solutions Ltd. ("ZEN"), our industry partner in this project, has discovered a large and very rare igneous-related graphite deposit in Northern Ontario called the Albany Deposit [www.zengraphene.com]. This resource may allow ZEN to produce commercial quantities of graphene for use in high-value, large-scale advanced applications. To use graphene in industrial applications, ZEN must generate the knowledge and expertise to convert graphite to the graphene derivatives at an industrial scale. As such, this research project seeks to generate the knowledge to synthesize graphene from ZEN's graphite using cost-effective, environmentally-friendly techniques and scale-up the process. The multifunctional properties of the graphene propose it as an outstanding nanomaterial to improve the physical properties of polymers. Polymers feature superior characteristics such as lightweight, low cost, easy processability, corrosion resistance, and improved design options. These properties propose polymers as versatile futuristic substitutions for commonly used materials, such as metals and ceramics, for advanced applications. Nevertheless, pristine polymers lack the required physical properties to accomplish this mission. The marriage of graphene with polymers results in the development of advanced multifunctional graphene/polymer nanocomposites enjoying the inherent properties of polymers woven with the multifunctionality of the graphene. To this end, this research project also seeks to incorporate the synthesized engineered graphene into polymers to improve their physical properties, including electrical, thermal, mechanical, and acoustic properties. The developed graphene/polymer nanocomposites will be shaped using compression molding and 3D printing techniques for performance testing.This research project will train HQP (1 postdoctoral fellow and 5 PhD students) with expertise and hands-on experience in Graphene Nanomaterials Synthesis and Characterization, Polymer Processing and 3D Printing, and Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites Development and Characterization. Such a broad range of expertise will shape the competent HQP with interdisciplinary backgrounds, who will be able to practice in numerous sectors in Canada, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the Canada's economy. The success of this project would open new avenues for various sectors in Canada, such as defense, aerospace, and automotive, to develop new technologies based on engineered graphene nanomaterials and their multifunctional polymer nanocomposites. This project would benefit many Canadian academics, as it will allow us to synthesize and customize graphene nanomaterials and their polymer nanocomposites for academics in different scientific fields rather than necessitating the purchase of commercial materials. The results of this project could potentially create new jobs for Canadians. For instance, ZEN estimates that the successful production of graphene out of graphite at an industrial scale could potentially lead to 300 new jobs in Northern Ontario.

石墨烯纳米材料是碳原子的单层，具有显著的物理性能，如高导电性、导热性、机械强度、耐热性和耐化学性。这些特性，再加上其巨大的表面积，使石墨烯成为一种具有吸引力的基础材料，在许多科学研究领域以及工业应用中，如能源、电子、国防、汽车、航空航天、建筑、药物输送、诊断等。合成石墨烯的主要前体材料是石墨，这是一种存在于火成岩中的天然元素矿物。事实上，石墨是由无数层石墨烯通过分子力相互连接而成的堆栈。为了合成石墨烯，石墨层应该被剥离。我们在这个项目中的行业合作伙伴Zen Graphene Solutions Ltd.(“Zen”)在安大略省北部发现了一个非常罕见的大型火成岩相关石墨矿床，名为奥尔巴尼矿床[www.zengraph ene.com]。这种资源可能使Zen能够生产商业数量的石墨烯，用于高价值、大规模的高级应用。要将石墨烯用于工业应用，Zen必须产生知识和专业知识，将石墨转化为工业规模的石墨烯衍生物。因此，该研究项目寻求利用经济高效、环境友好的技术从Zen的石墨中合成石墨烯的知识，并扩大工艺。石墨烯的多功能特性使其成为一种优异的纳米材料，可以改善聚合物的物理性能。聚合物具有重量轻、成本低、易于加工、耐腐蚀和改进的设计选项等卓越特性。这些特性表明，聚合物是先进应用中常用材料(如金属和陶瓷)的多功能未来替代品。然而，原始聚合物缺乏完成这一任务所需的物理性能。石墨烯与聚合物的结合导致了先进的多功能石墨烯/聚合物纳米复合材料的开发，具有石墨烯的多功能编织聚合物的固有特性。为此，本研究项目还试图将合成的工程石墨烯引入聚合物中，以改善其物理性能，包括电、热、机械和声学性能。开发的石墨烯/聚合物纳米复合材料将使用模压成型和3D打印技术进行性能测试。该研究项目将培训HQP(1名博士后研究员和5名博士生)，拥有石墨烯纳米材料合成和表征、聚合物加工和3D打印以及多功能聚合物纳米复合材料开发和表征方面的专业知识和实践经验。如此广泛的专业知识将塑造具有跨学科背景的合格HQP，他们将能够在加拿大的许多部门执业，从而提高加拿大经济的竞争力。该项目的成功将为加拿大国防、航空航天和汽车等各个部门开发基于工程石墨烯纳米材料及其多功能聚合物纳米复合材料的新技术开辟新途径。该项目将使许多加拿大学者受益，因为它将使我们能够为不同科学领域的学者合成和定制石墨烯纳米材料及其聚合物纳米复合材料，而不是必须购买商业材料。该项目的结果可能会为加拿大人创造新的就业机会。例如，Zen估计，成功地从石墨中工业化生产石墨烯，可能会在安大略省北部带来300个新的就业机会。