Carbon Lignin, VR, 2017-2021
Multiscale carbonized lignin nanomaterials with tailored structure for high electrochemical capacitance
The proposed work uses state of art experimental procedures and theoretical modeling for development of functional nanostructured carbon materials with large specific surface areas and high electrochemical performance from renewable material source, namely lignin. The approaches to fabricate three-dimensional carbon nanomaterials from lignin are electrospinning or 3D printing followed by lyophilization. These methods form 3D lignin structured precursors that are then carbonized. The carbonization process and tailored surface area are studied using advanced characterization methods, and the carbon nanomaterials electrochemical properties are tested with targeting functions as supercapacitors for energy storage applications.
Research questions
- Can organized carbon structure be made of lignin nanofibers such that they have sufficient porosity and surface area that results in a level of supercapacitance?
- Does electrospinning of lignin nanofiber nonwoven mats provide necessary foundations for such nanoscale lignin precursors, and is the yield sufficient for an effect replacement of PAN precursors?
- Can a model be developed of the electrochemical behavior of porous, hierarchical carbon filled with an electrolyte based on nanofluidics that will allow the prediction of such behavior and in so doing allow the structure to be optimized to reach higher levels of supercapacitance?
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