University of Adelaide confirms quality of PureGRAPH® for advanced functionalisation
HIGHLIGHTS
- Adelaide University has developed an efficient and scalable process to further functionalise PureGRAPH® platelets
- Advanced functionalised PureGRAPH® will improve dispersibility and performance of graphene enhanced systems, opening up a wider range of markets to First Graphene
- The researchers confirmed that First Graphene’s PureGRAPH® products are pristine, low-defect, few-layer graphene platelets
- Detailed assessment available in scientific paper published by University of Adelaide
First Graphene Limited (ASX:FGR; “First Graphene” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce the publication of a scientific paper written by researchers at the University of Adelaide, which describes a “green” process to improve the compatibility of First Graphene’s PureGRAPH® materials in a range of systems.
The paper, titled Highly Water Dispersible Functionalised Graphene by Thermal Thiol-ene Click Chemistry, was written by a team of world-leading researchers led by Professor Dusan Losic, leader of the Nano Research Group at The University of Adelaide and Director of ARC Graphene Research Hub. It has been peer reviewed and was published on 25th May 2021 in science and engineering journal Materials.
The researchers successfully “functionalised” PureGRAPH® graphene supplied by First Graphene. The functionalisation process involves chemically bonding molecules to graphene platelets. One end of the molecule will bond to the graphene surface and the other free end interacts with the medium that the graphene is added into. This improves the level of dispersion and interaction of the graphene platelets with the medium, further enhancing its properties and improving its dispersion in other composite systems such as polymers and rubbers. PureGRAPH® has a broad range of applications which can be further expanded by adding additional finishing steps, generally referred to a functionalising. The process is shown in Figure 1.
| Figure 1: Representation of the functionalisation process (first published in Materials 2021, 14, 2830) |
As part of the ARC Graphene Research Hub Program, of which First Graphene is a founding partner, Professor Losic’s team has also confirmed the pristine nature of PureGRAPH®. The team used advanced analytical techniques to show that commercially available PureGRAPH® platelets have a typical average thickness of six layers, confirming the product is a Few Layer Graphene (FLG).
First Graphene is now actively working with the research team at the University of Adelaide to scale up the process and enable First Graphene to extend applications for its product range, increasing usability options for end customers and ultimately driving greater demand for PureGRAPH®.
Background to Functionalisation of Graphene
Graphene is an advanced 2D nanomaterial that has the potential to be added to a vast array of products and applications to deliver significant improvement in performance across that range of materials. Once the graphene has been made in the first instance, many of the intended applications require extra finishing steps (functionalisation) in order to maximise the benefits of the added graphene i.e. it needs to be optimised for specific client specifications.
In the context of this announcement, the work by the University of Adelaide has confirmed the suitability of PureGRAPH® to its use with its recently designed functionalisation methodology. This addresses the hydrophobic characteristic of pristine graphene, thereby potentially opening additional market opportunities to First Graphene.
Michael Bell, Chief Executive Officer of First Graphene said: “We are excited by the outcome of the research carried out by the team at the University of Adelaide. This has the potential for us to further extend our product offering to our customers, and therefore accelerate the uptake and demand for PureGRAPH®. We look forward to working with Professor Losic’s team to further this work and potentially develop a range of new products.”
Professor Dusan Losic, leader of the Nano Research Group at the University of Adelaide, said: “We are very pleased to continue working with First Graphene’s pristine graphene platelets. The results of our work are very encouraging, significantly enhancing their potential to be applied to a wide range of end applications. We found the PureGRAPH® materials to be ideally suited to this chemistry with large size, low-defects, few-layer, pristine platelets that have some oxygen-edge functionality on receipt.”
| Investors Michael Bell Chief Executive Officer First Graphene Limited michael.bell@firstgraphene.net + 61 1300 660 448 |
| Media Simon Shepherdson General Manager Media Spoke Corporate simon@spokecorporate.com + 61 413 809 404 |
About First Graphene Ltd (ASX: FGR)
First Graphene Ltd. is the leading supplier of high-performing, graphene products. The company has a robust manufacturing platform based upon captive supply of high-purity raw materials and an established 100 tonne/year graphene production capacity. Commercial applications are now being progressed in composites, elastomers, fire retardancy, construction and energy storage.
First Graphene Ltd. is publicly listed in Australia (ASX:FGR) and has a primary manufacturing base in Henderson, near Perth, WA. The company is incorporated in the UK as First Graphene (UK) Ltd. and is a Tier 1 partner at the Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (GEIC), Manchester, UK.
PureGRAPH® Range of Products
PureGRAPH® graphene powders and PureGRAPH® AQUA pastes are available in tonnage volumes with lateral platelet sizes of 50μm, 20μm, 10μm and 5μm. The products are high performing additives, characterised by their high quality and ease of use.
| First Graphene Limited ABN 50 007 870 7601 Sepia CloseHenderson WA 6166 T: +61 1300 660 448 E: info@firstgraphene.net W: firstgraphene.net | Directors: Warwick Grigor Michael Quinert Dr Andy Goodwin | Trading Symbols Australia: FGRFGROC Frankfurt: FSE:M11 USA OTCQB: FGPHF |
With authority of the board, this announcement has been authorised for release by Aditya Asthana, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary.
About EmergingGrowth.com
Through its evolution, EmergingGrowth.com found a niche in identifying companies that can be overlooked by the markets. We look for strong management, innovation, strategy, execution, and the overall potential for long- term growth. Aside from being a trusted resource for the Emerging Growth info-seekers, we are well known for discovering undervalued companies and bringing them to the attention of the investment community. Through our parent Company, we also have the ability to facilitate road shows to present your products and services to the most influential investment banks in the space.
All information contained herein as well as on the EmergingGrowth.com website is obtained from sources believed to be reliable but not guaranteed to be accurate or all-inclusive. All material is for informational purposes only, is only the opinion of EmergingGrowth.com and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities. The information includes certain forward-looking statements, which may be affected by unforeseen circumstances and / or certain risks. This report is not without bias. EmergingGrowth.com has motivation by means of either self-marketing or EmergingGrowth.com has been compensated by or for a company or companies discussed in this article. EmergingGrowth.com has been compensated in consideration for its work with First Graphene, Ltd. EmergingGrowth.com may or may not receive additional compensation, details about which can be found in our full disclosure, which can be found here, https://emerginggrowth.com/279-743/. You can easily lose money investing in highly speculative small cap stocks like the ones mentioned within. Please consult an investment professional before investing in anything viewed within. When EmergingGrowth.com is long shares it will sell those shares. In addition, please make sure you read and understand the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and the Disclosure posted on the EmergingGrowth.com website.
