Linking physical and chemical properties of Elcora graphene to supercapacitor performance

This Engage grant will initiate a collaboration between Elcora Advanced Materials (Halifax, Nova Scotia) and*Dr. Heather Andreas (Chemistry, Dalhousie University) with a focus on translating Elcora's high-quality*graphene into an electrode material for supercapacitors (identified by Elcora as a new and important potential*application for their materials). Supercapacitors are energy storage systems used when an almost instantaneous*power response is needed (e.g. deployment of air-bags or airplane emergency chutes). To understand and*evaluate Elcora's graphene in supercapacitors requires knowledge of the graphene's structure, porosity,*reactivity and chemistry, and Dr. Andreas is an expert in relating carbon's physical and chemical properties to*supercapacitor performance.*The Andreas lab will evaluate Elcora's graphene as a supercapacitor electrode material and provide Elcora*with a deeper understanding of their material and its performance. They will also identify the origin of any*limitations (structural and/or chemical) and then help design and test graphene modifications to minimize these*limitations. Graphene modifications will likely extend into future collaborations and collaborative research*grants. Using Elcora's high-quality graphene will allow Andreas to expand the fundamental knowledge of the*links between carbon characteristics and energy storage; manuscripts will be submitted to appropriate scientific*journals.*The project will help Elcora Advanced Materials to better understand and commercialize their graphene*materials for supercapacitors. This will be achieved through evaluations of all important parameters for*supercapacitor use. Dr. Andreas' research will be boosted by having access to high-quality, very-controlled and*well-understood graphene to gain a fundamental understanding of how charge is stored on, and moves through,*these materials.