| Grant number: | 16/02386-1 |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral |
| Start date: | August 01, 2016 |
| End date: | June 07, 2018 |
| Field of knowledge: | Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry |
| Agreement: | Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) |
| Principal Investigator: | Fernando Galembeck |
| Grantee: | Bruno Carreira Batista |
| Host Institution: | Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil |
Abstract The explosion in global population and associated increase in demands for sustainable energy, food and commodities present an interesting challenge for scientists and technologists. Chemistry plays a key role in this scenario, bringing forward creative solutions and alternatives through the development of new materials and processes. Recent efforts in the production of composite and nanocomposite materials with tailored structures, mechanical properties and functionalities have shown particular promise. It is important that these composites are made of cheap and widely available materials. Cellulose performs this function with excellence. It is produced in large scale and several R&D projects demonstrate its applicability in the production of composite films, gels and aerogels. In this project we introduce a new methodology for preparing cellulose nanocomposites, using alkaline cellulose solutions. The solutions can be readily produced in laboratory, via an easily scalable process, and disperse many different solids. Our aim is to disperse functional particles with emphasis on amorphous carbon and graphene. Cellulose precipitation with corresponding particle entrapment will be accomplished using techniques that allow control over the final morphology. We will investigate the formation of cellulose composite films, spheres and fibers containing either activated carbon or graphene. Besides controlling the composites' macrostructure, we will assess their microstructure and evaluate the presence of self-organized structures introduced by the interaction between the cellulose matrix and nearby particles. The physical chemical properties of our materials will be determined using long standing know-how and practices used in this laboratory. Bearing this knowledge, we will investigate the applicability of the corresponding materials as electrical conductors, electrodes in batteries and supercapacitors, support for catalysts, pollutant adsorbents for water treatment and as remediating and fertilizer-supplying agents for agricultural uses. (AU) | |
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