Environmental and resource performance of the nanomaterials graphene and nanocellulose
Research Project, 2015
– 2020
The two nanomaterials graphene and nanocellulose have been hailed for their great usefulness in a number of applications, and are of high importance for the Swedish industry. Since they are mainly made from the abundant element of carbon, these nanomaterials have the potential to have a beneficial resource performance compared to materials based on more scarce resources. Particularly graphene-based electrodes have been suggested to be resource efficient since they may replace today?s electrodes in mobile and computer screens, which contain the scarce material indium. However, the environmental and resource performance of graphene and nanocellulose are largely unknown. Therefore, this project aims at assessing their environmental and resource potential. For this purpose, life cycle assessment (LCA) and material flow analysis (MFA) will be used. The LCA case studies will be on graphene by nanocellulose in composites, graphene-based electrodes, and graphene produced with epitaxial growth. Two MFA studies will then outline the resource basis for such future applications. The methodological aim is to develop prospective LCA and MFA, by which materials such as graphene and nanocellulose can be assessed regarding their environmental and resource potential at an early stage of technological development. Results will be disseminated in several ways, both directly to a collaborating company and institute, to academia and to the general public.
Participants
Rickard Arvidsson (contact)
Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Environmental Systems Analysis
Funding
Formas
Project ID: 213-2014-322
Funding Chalmers participation during 2015–2018
Related Areas of Advance and Infrastructure
Sustainable development
Driving Forces