Bio4Energy Targeted Project, 2019-2020
Carbonized super-light aerogels and their characterisation and use in energy storage
The main aim of this project is to study lignin as a carbon source for preparation of highly porous electrodes for energy storage applications such as battery or supercapacitor. We have made preliminary studies and have prepared a lignin/nanocellulose aerogel (98% porosity and high surface area). This aerogel is then carbonized at >1000 °C to make a carbon aerogel. However to be able to make this a suitable lignin material is important, and therefore the solubility and purity of the lignin is important as well as its rheological behavior to be able use ice-templating followed with freeze drying and carbonization steps. The nanocellulose is used as a rheology modifier for the ice-templating step. High resolution electron microscopy, 3D imaging, Raman spectroscopy will be used to study the aerogel and carbon structure, BET will be used to study the surface area and electrochemical testing will be made to see the potential of these raw materials for future energy storage, replacing expensive or harmful metals.
The project is carried out as a collaboration between two different platforms in Bio4Energy, including Biopolymers and Biochemical Conversion Technologies (Prof. Kristiina Oksman, LTU; Prof. Leif Jönsson & Dr. Carlos Martin, Umeå University) and Thermochemical Conversion Technologies (Prof. Kerstin Ramser & Dr. Fredrik Forsberg, LTU).
Updated: