SR9225 - Synthesis of Carbon Nanostructures
from Undervalued and Waste Lignin and their Uses in Polymer Nanocomposites
This project was funded by OMAFRA through the 2009 New Directions
& Alternative Renewable Fuels Research program.
Lead researcher
Dr. Manjusri Misra,
School of Engineering and Department of Plant Agriculture, University
of Guelph
Objectives
- Investigating the effects of various types of lignin for the
synthesis of carbon nanostructures and correlating the lignin
structures with the final carbon nanoparticles.
- Studying the influence of various types of biobased polyhydroxyl
alcohols, such as glycerol, ethylene glycol and carboxylic acids,
such as citric acid and tartaric acid as well as metal and metal
oxides based catalysts on the synthesis of carbon nanostructures.
- Optimizing experimental parameters as well as precursor conditions
for the synthesis of carbon nanostructures with desired sizes
and shapes.
- Processing of nanocomposites utilizing the synthesized carbon
nanostructures and PTT (DuPont Green SoronaTM) polymer.
- Optimization of melt processing followed by property evaluation
according to the ASTM standards.
- Evaluation of newly developed carbon nanostructures for their
cost and performance.
- To work closely with the industrial partners during the execution
of this research and to find out their high potential applications
especially in the transportation sectors.
Expected benefits
To broaden the window of functional properties of the co-products of
lignin subject to engineering processes that can ultimately converted
to functional carbon nano particles and their nanocomposite. The proposed
research work will also, generate the fundamental scientific knowledge
on the conversion mechanism of lignin to carbon nanostructures.
Results
Currently not available
Related information
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