SUPERYARN · Study and Understanding of gas Phase Entangled Reactions for Yarn Assembly via Robust Nanomaterial aerogelation
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2022-01-01 → 2023-12-31
- EU contribution
- €172,932
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
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Results in brief
Study and Understanding of gas Phase Entangled Reactions for Yarn Assembly via Robust Nanomaterial aerogelation
Since the arrival of nanotechnology, it was realized that material performance could be tremendously enhanced by using quantum mechanical properties of materials. Nanomaterials come in different forms and shapes, powder, thin films or fibers, each format with pros and cons. Nanowires and nanotubes are natural candidates for exploiting the axial quantum mechanical properties and have great potential for producing super strong fibers, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), or high performance materials, such as silicon nanowires (SiNWs) for the production of advanced electrodes in high density batteries, so necessary for sustainable energetics and for advancing towards the green transition, a priority for the European Commission under the European Green Deal for making Europe climate neutral by 2050. And even silicon carbide nanowires (SiCNWs) useful for high temperature semiconductors, sensors and optoelectronics. These are all incredible materials. However, their synthesis is still expensive and their utilization is limited to niche applications, primarily due to the lacking understanding on how to efficiently, selectively and cleanly produce them in a cheap and environmentally friendly way. One of the best ways to do this is by using the floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition methodology (FCCVD), which occurs at high velocities, floating in the gas phase and does not require solvents. This methodology is inheritably fast, enabling industrial scale up for economical production and does not produce toxic waste. Towards this goal, the project SUPERYARN was focusing on providing a framework to better understand the reaction mechanisms for the synthesis of these outstanding one dimensional nanomaterials (1D-NMs) via FCCVD. The reaction mechanism, is a worthwhile effort since it is the key to designing an effective reactor and factory for the inexpensive, clean and efficient synthesis of these materials.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
1D nanomaterials (NM) display the best mechanical and electrical properties of any known material due to their capability to exploit axial properties of nanomaterials in the macroscopic world. These materials are best suited for macroscopic utilization if produced in large amounts. The synthesis of them has nevertheless limited their applicability to niche applications and have remained as a laboratory curiosity. In this proposal we intend to generate an understanding to the process in order to extract the kinetic information required to synthesize a high quality material at high yield. Such information is not straightforward because there are at least 2 additional processes occurring competitively in the reactor and they have prevented the development of large scale synthesis routes. In this work we propose to separate the numerous steps involved in the synthesis and assembly of 1D-NM in order to study and optimize the single steps required to obtain high yield and top properties of the material being synthesized. In the first unit operation, the formation of incipient 1D-NMs will be favored over its competitive reaction; the nucleation of nanoparticles (NP) and decomposition to the walls. In the second step specifically 1D-NM growth will be promoted. In the third, a device to enhance aerogelation of the 1D-NMs into a single yarn will be developed. Finally, the material will be tested and desirable properties in advanced applications, such as battery electrodes, will be associated with the synthesis mechanism. Several materials will be tested as an attempt to generate a more general understanding of the process. The model materials selected are silicon, silicon carbide and carbon nanotubes.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- FUNDACION IMDEA MATERIALES · GetafeCoordinatorSpain
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union