PERT

WP description

In order to realise a platform technology for the European market a functional model of the supercapacitor containing graphene-based electrodes will be developed. Work will be carried out in defined work packages as structured in tasks for research, development, exploitation, dissemination and management. The ElectroGraph project is divided into 12 work packages for ease of the management and to simplify measurement of the project outputs and deliverables. The scientific and technical work of ElectroGraph project is divided into three main phases; the first is to synthesise a range of graphene materials and to engineer graphene via multitude of post-treatment processing methods with an objective to develop material with specific and controllable properties. The second phase is to investigate graphene and graphene containing materials and systems with concern of the health and environmental aspects. The third and final phase focuses on the development of materials, components and devices for demonstration to industry and exploitation and is targeting the demonstration of the supercapacitor prototype device utilising graphene based electrodes. These three technical phases of the project are allocated between 10 work packages.

Work package 1 is dealing with the design of the prototype device, with the specifications of the performance characteristics in comparison with and progressing beyond state-of-the-art. The modelling of the prototype device system for optimised performance will define all of the device components, with the special focus on electrodes and electrolyte.

Work packages 2 and 3 are focused on synthesis and processing of graphene. In order to obtain graphene material of an appropriate quantity and quality for application in supercapacitors three different synthesis methods will be investigated and optimised. Following, in work package 3, graphene will be modified or functionalised within varying approaches in order to engineer and control the properties of final material.

Work package 4 will be carried in parallel to work packages 2 and 3, and will target at detailed characterisation of materials produced within the project. The materials will be characterised from the point of view of graphene quality as well as its applicability in supercapacitors. The main objective of this work package is to determine whether graphene can be applied as electrode material, especially in comparison with other carbon materials.

In work package 5 the development of graphene dispersions and inks will take place in order to enable printing of thin graphene coatings, using currently available techniques, for application as electrodes in supercapacitors. This work will be naturally linked to work package 6, which holds as an objective development of graphene electrodes. Additionally, in work package 6 investigations will be carried out on electrolyte systems to find the one, which is most suitable for the application in view. The main focus will be given to ionic liquids as they are considered to be environmentally friendly electrolytes. With consideration of environment as well as health and safety issues two further work packages (WP7 and WP8) will be conducted.

In work package 7, the experience-based understanding of appropriate practices for the safe production, processing and recycling of graphene nanomaterials will be generated, and facilitate the development of guidance on risk management and best available techniques to minimise and control any health risks to manufacturers, downstream users and the environment. Given that the crucial life cycle aspect of any product/technology development should not be ignored, indeed to the contrary the importance to engage life cycle thinking throughout the program and development activities is recognised. In work package 8 methods by which the graphene and graphene containing materials developed in this project can be recycled to recover value at the end of their life will be identified. The prime objective of recycling activities is to reduce environmental impact and so it is important that recycling operations minimise their impact upon the environment.

Work package 9 is devoted to the construction and demonstration of prototype device of supercapacitor containing graphene in the electrodes. Prototype materials and devices will be constructed and tested under the guidance of industrial partners. The prototype device will be constructed in accordance with guidelines created in work package 1, and compared, and validated against the list of specifications defined in that work package.

Work package 10 is focused on the management of RTD and demonstration activities of the project. These tasks are assigned to the partners of the consortium with the best consideration of their suitability for the specific thematic tasks.

Dissemination and exploitation activities are covered in the work package 11. Those activities will concentrate on the dissemination of project results and transfer of developed technologies to industrial stakeholders, academic community and public, exploitation of project results with project partners and wider academic community, industrial partners and investors and knowledge management and intellectual property management within the project.

Work package 12 is fully focused on the management and coordination of the ElectroGraph project.