Progress 07/01/23 to 06/30/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Audience includes proactive sustainability managers at cement companies responsible for improving sustainability practices and company image. This customer profile is expressly interested because our materials can strengthen concrete and are made using sustainable materials. The second audience profile includes sustainability minded, forward thinking architects responsible for selecting building materials. They are influencers as an expert on the latest materials who is selecting and recommending materials to the client. For battery anode materials, the target audience is materials purchasers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The knowledge gained from this research project is currently confidential, and as such has not been shared with the public. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? All objectives of the project were completed. In terms of project tasks, the following items were completed: Task 2. Produce biochar and characterize 2.1 Biochar synthesis Biochar has been produced at six temperatures in the range of 300 - 1000 °C. 2.2 Biochar characterization The produced biochar has been characterized via N2 gas sorption to determine surface area and pore volume, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for thermal decomposition and residue determination, Raman spectroscopy to examine bonding, and X-ray diffraction to examine the crystal structure of the materials. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is to be performed in January 2024 due to equipment issues at UW. Task 3. Convert biochar to GO and characterize 3.1 Conversion of biochar to GO GO was produced from all six biochar materials. 3.2 GO characterization Raman spectroscopy was performed to examine the GO and the characteristic bands. Bonding and structural data were examined via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and XRD was performed to examine structure properties. Thermal decomposition was examined using TGA, and surface area and pore characteristics were measured via N2 sorption. Conductivity was measured using a standardized method, morphology investigated via SEM, and carbon and oxygen content as well as bonding information was studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Task 4. Convert GO to rGO and characterize 4.1 Conversion of GO to rGO To convert graphene oxide to reduced graphene oxide, samples were annealed under argon atmosphere at 1100 °C. The rGO was produced from all six GO materials. 4.2 rGO characterization Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, TGA, and N2 sorption was performed on all rGO samples from comparison to the biochar and GO precursor materials. Conductivity, SEM, and XPS was performed with the GO samples. Task 5. Convert rGO to graphene nanosheets and characterize 5.1 Conversion of rGO to graphene nanosheets Graphene nanosheets synthesis was performed using high temperature processing. 5.2 Graphene nanosheets characterization To characterize the produced graphene nanosheets, the suite of tests used to characterize the GO and rGO was used, allowing thorough comparison of all graphene materials produced in this project. ?

Publications