Title
Phyllosilicates intercalated with organic molecules as precursors of electrically conductive materials II.
Code
SP2025/029
Summary
Research within this project builds on the results of the previous project (SP2024/041), the aim of which was to map the possibilities of preparing electrically conductive materials by pyrolysis of composites prepared from phyllosilicates intercalated from solution with electrically non-conductive organic compounds.
Considering the results of the previous project SP2024/041, which demonstrated that the polymerization step is not necessary to obtain electrically conductive materials containing graphene nanostructures (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2024.119662), this project will study the possibility of further simplifying the preparation process.
Composites intended for pyrolysis (to obtain electrically conductive materials) will be prepared by mechanochemical dry intercalation instead of intercalation from solution. This can not only eliminate the filtration and drying steps, but also prevent material losses that occur with filtration.
Also, considering the results of the previous project (SP2024/041), which showed differences in the structure compatibility of graphite/graphene with various high-temperature phases (mullite, cristobalite, forsterite etc.) formed during the pyrolysis of aluminum or magnesium phyllosilicates (Molek a Tokarský, NANOCON 2024), this project will proceed to the preparation of electrically conductive materials by pyrolysis of organic compound – high-temperature phase (mullite, cristobalite, forsterite etc.) composites. The aim is to experimentally verify the possibility of increasing the proportion of graphitic carbon (and consequently the electrical conductivity) by making composites (intended for pyrolysis) already contain high-temperature phases showing high structure compatibility with graphitic carbon.
Analyses of the chemical composition, structure and morphology of materials obtained by pyrolysis will be carried out using elemental analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, Raman and infrared spectroscopy, molecular modeling using force fields, structure compatibility calculations, and transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
The project will also focus on the electrically conductive polymer polythiophene as one of the organic compounds. In addition to finding a simple and fast method for its synthesis and verifying its conductivity, the conductivity response, i.e. sensory properties, to selected gases (e.g. ammonia) will also be studied. Samples containing polythiophene will also be pyrolyzed.
Based on the results of published studies on conductive polymer pyrolysis (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2014.03.021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.materresbull.2021.111429 etc.), a successful transformation to graphitic carbon can be expected in this case as well. In addition to verifying the correctness of this assumption, this project will seek to answer the question of whether sulphur heteroatoms (present in the five-membered polythiophene rings) will remain in the resulting carbon structure and, if so, in what quantity.
In the case of success, the sulphur-doped carbon material prepared in this way could be tested in the future, e.g. in the development of new types of bateries (https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-5805(22)60630-9).
For all pyrolyzed materials, the degree of their electrical conductivity will be correlated with the carbon content in the material (and with the sulphur content for materials originally containing polythiophene), with particular attention being paid to the degree of graphitization and the presence of single-layer or multi-layer graphene.
Project timeline
01/2025 – 07/2025
Preparation of phyllosilicate/organic compound composites and high-temperature phase/organic compound compositeds. Pyrolyses of prepared composites. Analyses of chemical composition, structure and morphology of pyrolyzed composites. Measurements of electrical conductivities of the pyrolyzed composites.
08/2025 – 12/2025
Preparation of conductive polythiophene and phyllosilicate/ polythiophene composites, and measurement of their electrical conductivity. Design of apparatus for determining sensory properties and performance of given measurements. Pyrolysis of phyllosilicate/ polythiophene composites. Analyses of composition, structure and morphology of the pyrolyzed materials. Measurements of electrical conductivities of the pyrolyzed materials.
Division of work and tasks among team members
Assoc.-Prof. Ing. Jonáš Tokarský, Ph.D. – principal investigator – supervisor of Jonáš Molek's doctoral thesis – molecular modeling – structure compatibility calculations – electrical conductivity measurements – project administration – preparation of outputs
Ing. Silvie Vallová, Ph.D. – characterization of materials using thermogravimetry – preparation of outputs
Assoc.-Prof. Ing. Michal Ritz, Ph.D. – supervisor of Zuzana Pěgřimočová's doctoral thesis – characterization of materials using infrared and Raman spectroscopy – preparation of outputs
Ing. Markéta Davidová – Ph.D. student – preparation of composites phyllosilicate / organic compound – characterization of materials using XRD analysis – electrical conductivity measurements – preparation of outputs
Ing. Zuzana Pěgřimočová – Ph.D. student – characterization of materials using infrared and Raman spectroscopy – preparation of outputs
Ing. Sára Leinweberová – Ph.D. student – pyrolyses of composites phyllosilicate / organic compound – preparation of outputs
Ing. Jonáš Molek – Ph.D. student – molecular modeling – structure compatibility calculations – preparation of outputs
Bc. Matěj Hořejší – master's student since 08/2025– preparation of conductive polythiophene and phyllosilicate / polythiophene composite – electrical conductivity measurements – design of the apparatus for studying the sensory properties – carrying out experiments in the apparatus
Bc. Jiří Kuběnka – master's student since 08/2025 – design of the apparatus for studying the sensory properties – carrying out experiments in the apparatus
Start year
2025
End year
2025
Provider
Ministerstvo školství, mládeže a tělovýchovy
Category
SGS
Type
Specifický výzkum VŠB-TUO
Solver