title: The scalability in the mechanochemical syntheses of edge functionalized graphene materials and biomass-derived chemicals.
abstract: Mechanochemical approaches to chemical synthesis offer the promise of improved yields, new reaction pathways and greener syntheses. Scaling these syntheses is a crucial step toward realizing a commercially viable process. Although much work has been performed on laboratory-scale investigations little has been done to move these approaches toward industrially relevant scales. Moving reactions from shaker-type mills and planetary-type mills to scalable solutions can present a challenge. We have investigated scalability through discrete element models, thermal monitoring and reactor design. We have found that impact forces and macroscopic mixing are important factors in implementing a truly scalable process. These observations have allowed us to scale reactions from a few grams to several hundred grams and we have successfully implemented scalable solutions for the mechanocatalytic conversion of cellulose to value-added compounds and the synthesis of edge functionalized graphene.
authors.affiliation: University of Central Florida, NanoScience Technology Center, 12424 Research Parkway Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32826-3250, USA. Richard.Blair@ucf.edu.
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chagoya
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biltek
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Ashlyn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taraboletti
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Restrepo
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D002384:Catalysis; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry; D006108:Graphite / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D006868:Hydrolysis
chemical_list: D006108:Graphite; D002482:Cellulose