The development of plastic materials with enhanced resistance to UV radiation and harsh weather conditions for recreational, sports, and automotive equipment, enabled by the combined expertise of graphene producer NanoXplore and ÉTS.

PROJECT COST:

408 249 $

PRIMA CONTRIBUTION:

81 649 $

PROJECT DETAILS:

This project aims to develop lightweight and cost-effective graphene-reinforced thermoplastic composites and to evaluate their resistance to environmental exposure, particularly UV-induced degradation, as well as their recyclability. The project builds on a collaboration between NanoXplore, the largest producer of industrial-grade graphene in Canada with an annual production capacity of 4,000 tonnes, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the École de technologie supérieure de Montréal (ÉTS). The research focuses on three main objectives: optimizing industrial manufacturing processes for graphene nanocomposites, assessing their resistance to weathering and UV degradation, and investigating their recycling potential.

The three-year project will involve two professors, two PhD students, two master’s students, and a part-time research associate from ÉTS, in addition to three researchers, a process specialist, a group leader, and a product development manager from NanoXplore Inc. Experimental activities will be conducted both at NanoXplore and at ÉTS. The outcomes of the project are expected to benefit the Canadian composites industry and further strengthen Canada’s position as a leader in advanced materials production, particularly in the field of graphene.