Final Report Summary - GRAPHENEGASSENSORS (Graphene-Based Ultra-Sensitive Gas Sensors)
Aim of this research project was to develop graphene bases toxic filters. As we know that graphene is an outstanding material with excellent characteristics for various applications. As a main task of the project, we have been successful in developing high-quality graphene-based toxic filters. In the last two years under the Marie Curie Fellowship from European Commission, we developed facilities to scale-up the production of graphene and its other derivatives such as graphene oxide. We synthesised graphene using various chemical routes to scale-up the production and quality of the material. We tested the performance of these membranes for filtration of toxic elements in gaseous and liquid forms. We found that these membranes based on graphene block all toxic species in liquid and vapour form. We have seen that our material has the sensitivity to sense a single molecule of gas. We have tested graphene-based papers for sensing and filtering of toxic gases. This excellent material not only senses toxic elements but also blocks them from propagating to the environment, which is a unique behaviour. For example, this material first senses the vapour of ethanol vapours, even in its ppb level, then blocks it from entering into other medium. We have developed full methodology for such experiments.
Based on our results, which are due for publication soon, we can say that that we have successfully obtained our expected milestone of developing gas detectors. We are happy to report that we have moved one step further by developing toxic filters during the last two years. Our toxic filter is unique and can be produced on a mass scale. The achievements discussed above are due to be included in a patent application from The University of Manchester, therefore, the intellectual property department at The University of Manchester will not allow us to publish the results and diagrams yet until the patent application has been made. We are very hopeful that our findings will bring breakthrough changes in the field of filtration technology which certainly indicates towards the socio-economic impact of the work done in last two years under the Marie Curie Fellowship. This research will be highly relevant in the field of filtration technologies such as removing organic contaminates, desalination, and toxic filters.
Based on our results, which are due for publication soon, we can say that that we have successfully obtained our expected milestone of developing gas detectors. We are happy to report that we have moved one step further by developing toxic filters during the last two years. Our toxic filter is unique and can be produced on a mass scale. The achievements discussed above are due to be included in a patent application from The University of Manchester, therefore, the intellectual property department at The University of Manchester will not allow us to publish the results and diagrams yet until the patent application has been made. We are very hopeful that our findings will bring breakthrough changes in the field of filtration technology which certainly indicates towards the socio-economic impact of the work done in last two years under the Marie Curie Fellowship. This research will be highly relevant in the field of filtration technologies such as removing organic contaminates, desalination, and toxic filters.