Multifunctional Electrospun Nanocomposite Fibres from Biobased Polymers and Graphene

本申请提出了一项用于生产高性能电纺纳米复合纤维的综合研究计划，该纤维由生物基聚合物和石墨烯组成。主要关注的聚合物是生物基聚酯和木质素，因为它们是可再生的，可以低成本商购获得，并且木质素是用于碳纤维生产的优异前体。石墨烯是一种二维碳片，是透明的，是已知最薄的材料之一，厚度为一个原子。它激发了人们对21世纪材料科学和工程的巨大兴趣。将小百分比的石墨烯与电纺纤维结合预计将显著改善纳米复合纤维的电导率和热导率、强度和热稳定性。用金属纳米颗粒对石墨烯进行额外的改性有望产生用于高价值应用的进一步先进的纳米复合纤维。碳纤维将通过基于木质素的电纺纤维的碳化来生产。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储存设备。所产生的材料的工程特性也将被评估用于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。目前正在共同努力寻找可再生和清洁的能源，这些能源：（a）不依赖于化石燃料，（B）更可持续和对环境友好，（c）排放较少的温室气体。因此，也具有由可再生材料制成的能量存储装置是一致的且非常有利的。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，工业和卫生部门的重要因素;（ii）减少空气污染物排放，包括工业和车辆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，但尚未实现颗粒物和氨排放量的减少（国家空气污染物排放，加拿大环境部）。所提出的申请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的分离效率的上级空气过滤器。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联合收割机结合起来，为改善社会的创新应用找到更高效，更有竞争力和可持续的纳米复合纤维。该项目将为HQP提供一个激励的培训环境，使他们成为杰出的科学家，并为进一步的发展和应用奠定基础。

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.