Investigation of Sulfur Reactive Species Surface Mechanisms for the Sulfurization of Graphene in Electronegative Plasma

Graphene sulfur is a composite material of growing interest due to its unique properties and its potential for multi-sector innovation. Since its discovery in 2004, graphene, a carbon atomic monolayer, has sparked a research effort to modify its properties by modifying its chemistry. In fact, graphene-sulfur is graphene onto which sulfur atoms are grafted. Its most coveted application is in the field of energy storage as a cathode for a lithium-graphene-sulfur battery. For its synthesis, the plasma process route was chosen for its versatility, its performance and its low environmental impact. The advantage of plasma is to create reactive species that are difficult to access with conventional chemistry. These species allow the modification of materials, in our case the sulfurization of graphene. However, the physicochemical mechanisms in plasma that lead to the incorporation of sulfur into graphene remain unknown. This research project aims to understand the fundamental interactions that exist between plasma and reactive sulfur species. This type of study provides a fundamental understanding that can be integrated into a materials engineering context, thus paving the way for significant advances in the field.

Faculty Supervisor:

Luc Stafford

Student:

Partner:

Technical University of Denmark

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Education

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: