Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GREENCAP (Graphene, MXene and ionic liquid-based sustainable supercapacitor)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30
A paradigm shift in energy storage technology is needed to support the transition towards the climate-neutrality set by the EU’s international commitments under the Paris Agreement, while ensuring the targets of EU’s Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials (CRMs). In this context, GREENCAP joins a multi-disciplinary consortium with 5 Universities, 1 R&D Institute, 5 companies, located in 7 European countries including Italy, Germany, France, Ireland, United Kingdom, Estonia, and Netherlands, to unlock the full potential of supercapacitors (SCs) as electrochemical energy storage systems.
We will develop a CRM-free technology exhibiting a battery-like energy density (>20 Wh/kg, >16 Wh/L), together with the distinctive superior power densities and high cycle life of traditional electrochemical double layer capacitors.
GREENCAP will exploit layered 2D materials, including graphene and MXenes as electrode materials, and ionic liquids (ILs) as high-voltage electrolyte.
The main objectives of GREENCAP are:
i) to syntheses/functionalize graphene and MXenes via facile, scalable and sustainable (CRM-free) methodologies, assuring both high surface area and ion accessibility, introducing Faradaic charge storage mechanisms, and improving their quantum capacitance;
ii) to produce novel non-/low-toxic and non-/low-flammable IL-based electrolyte with high conductivities, and a high electrochemical/thermal stability, ensuring SC operation at voltage > 3.5 V within -50°C to +100 °C temperature range, thus eliminating the need for sophisticated cooling systems;
iii) to validate the novel SC technology at industrial scale by fabricating cylindrical cells at a TRL 6 while ensuring the creation/existence of the complete value chain from material to cell producers;
iv) to produce a novel supercapacitor management system, enabling the full potential of the GREECAP’s SCs in high-end applications, and ensuring their integration into the circular economy.
The high-energy density GREENCAP SCs will outperform current electrochemical double layer capacitors, addressing the functionalities of CRM-based batteries, thus enabling clean and competitive energy and mobility solutions crucial for a competitive European
economy. The use of CRM-free L2DMs and sustainable and recyclable IL-based electrolytes will support circular economy, aiming at solving critical aspects of competing technologies, such as the end-life managements of LiBs and CO2 emissions associated to battery manufacturing. GREENCAP’s technology will enable the advent of SCpowered mobility systems, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment for people by reducing the negative impacts of fossil fuel-dependent mobility. The applications of GREENCAP’ SCs in peak shaving and backup systems will provide a solution to store energy from renewable sources.
We will develop a CRM-free technology exhibiting a battery-like energy density (>20 Wh/kg, >16 Wh/L), together with the distinctive superior power densities and high cycle life of traditional electrochemical double layer capacitors.
GREENCAP will exploit layered 2D materials, including graphene and MXenes as electrode materials, and ionic liquids (ILs) as high-voltage electrolyte.
The main objectives of GREENCAP are:
i) to syntheses/functionalize graphene and MXenes via facile, scalable and sustainable (CRM-free) methodologies, assuring both high surface area and ion accessibility, introducing Faradaic charge storage mechanisms, and improving their quantum capacitance;
ii) to produce novel non-/low-toxic and non-/low-flammable IL-based electrolyte with high conductivities, and a high electrochemical/thermal stability, ensuring SC operation at voltage > 3.5 V within -50°C to +100 °C temperature range, thus eliminating the need for sophisticated cooling systems;
iii) to validate the novel SC technology at industrial scale by fabricating cylindrical cells at a TRL 6 while ensuring the creation/existence of the complete value chain from material to cell producers;
iv) to produce a novel supercapacitor management system, enabling the full potential of the GREECAP’s SCs in high-end applications, and ensuring their integration into the circular economy.
The high-energy density GREENCAP SCs will outperform current electrochemical double layer capacitors, addressing the functionalities of CRM-based batteries, thus enabling clean and competitive energy and mobility solutions crucial for a competitive European
economy. The use of CRM-free L2DMs and sustainable and recyclable IL-based electrolytes will support circular economy, aiming at solving critical aspects of competing technologies, such as the end-life managements of LiBs and CO2 emissions associated to battery manufacturing. GREENCAP’s technology will enable the advent of SCpowered mobility systems, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment for people by reducing the negative impacts of fossil fuel-dependent mobility. The applications of GREENCAP’ SCs in peak shaving and backup systems will provide a solution to store energy from renewable sources.
In the first reporting period, significant progress has been made towards the project objectives, with the majority of the work in the first period mostly focused on targeted objectives 1, 2, and 5. Currently achieved project technical results include:
• A pilot scale process for Curved Graphene (CG) synthesis from SiC, consisting of chlorination, desorption, milling, and hydrogen treatment, focusing on reducing impurities.
• Improved industrial production method for few-layer graphene (FLG) by replacing N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) with more sustainable water-based media and surfactants.
• Five kinds of CRM-free MXenes were synthesized via a molten-salt approach, covering the most CRM-free MXenes.
• Synthesis and formulation of aprotic ILs for EDLCs, and selection of best-performing candidates.
• Ionogel (IG)-type electrodes using EMIFSI enabled the use of cost-effective, water-soluble binders, reducing costs and maintaining optimal electrolyte wetting.
• Synthesis and formulation of protonated ILs for MXenes. Various electrodes formulated with IL-based electrolytes showed promising performance, and functionalization of MXene is pursued to improve the electrolyte accessibility to the surface of these materials.
• Quality control and reproducibility assurance report for SC materials, adhering to ISO TS 21356-1 for graphene-based materials and outlining specifications and procedures to ensure uniformity and reproducibility for MXene and ILs.
• Report on the preliminary assessment of the environmental and socio-economic impacts of the developed materials and technologies
• A pilot scale process for Curved Graphene (CG) synthesis from SiC, consisting of chlorination, desorption, milling, and hydrogen treatment, focusing on reducing impurities.
• Improved industrial production method for few-layer graphene (FLG) by replacing N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) with more sustainable water-based media and surfactants.
• Five kinds of CRM-free MXenes were synthesized via a molten-salt approach, covering the most CRM-free MXenes.
• Synthesis and formulation of aprotic ILs for EDLCs, and selection of best-performing candidates.
• Ionogel (IG)-type electrodes using EMIFSI enabled the use of cost-effective, water-soluble binders, reducing costs and maintaining optimal electrolyte wetting.
• Synthesis and formulation of protonated ILs for MXenes. Various electrodes formulated with IL-based electrolytes showed promising performance, and functionalization of MXene is pursued to improve the electrolyte accessibility to the surface of these materials.
• Quality control and reproducibility assurance report for SC materials, adhering to ISO TS 21356-1 for graphene-based materials and outlining specifications and procedures to ensure uniformity and reproducibility for MXene and ILs.
• Report on the preliminary assessment of the environmental and socio-economic impacts of the developed materials and technologies
In the RP1, the project contributed to the development of new SCs with energy densities comparable to batteries by synthesizing five kinds of CRM-free MXenes, which enhanced performance. The creation of ionogel-type electrodes using cost-effective, water-soluble binders and IL-based electrolytes ensured optimal electrolyte wetting and reduced costs. Improved methods for producing FLG with sustainable water-based media and surfactants, along with the synthesis of protonated ILs, further boosted the SCs' efficiency and longevity. These advancements led to SCs that recharge much faster than current batteries, maintain consistent performance over time, have longer lifespans, and exhibit a low environmental impact. In teh next period, activities will aim to enhance the production processes and develop prototypes that demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of these advanced energy storage systems, using CRM-free materials. The advisory board will be actively consulted to provide updated specifications tailored to specific market needs. This collaboration will ensure that the solutions developed are not only innovative but also well-aligned with industry requirements and expectations. Based on a screening of commercially available SC technologies,the consortium created device performance benchmarks with a key indicator set, including capacitance/capacity, working voltage, lifetime, cycle life, working temperature, and cost. A roadmap for the industrialization of the developed cylindrical cells will be developed, investigating the possible challenges towards market penetration.