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NANO HEMP

NANO HEMP uses hemp biomass waste as raw material to synthesize carbon nanotubes through chemical vapor deposition. An iron catalyst and hemp hurd are used as the carbon source by pyrolysis.

  • NANO HEMP - CNTs from Hemp Hurd Bio waste Turned into CNTs to Reduce Waste, Boost Sustainability

  • Problem of Hemp Hurd Wastes, Turn Waste Into An Opportunity

  • Concept of Innovation Idea NANO HEMP

  • Process of Synthesis Carbon Nanotube

  • Overview of Experiment design

What it does

NANO HEMP represents a significant step towards sustainable and cost-effective carbon nanotube production. Its innovative approach opens doors for advancements in various industries. By utilizing discarded hemp stalks as a sustainable carbon source for CNTs.

Your inspiration

NANO HEMP addresses the cannabis industry's waste management problem by using waste hemp core scraps as a carbon source for synthesizing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) through pyrolysis. This innovative method reduces the cost of CNTs production, making the material more accessible and affordable for high-precision applications like gas sensors. With the global cannabis market expected to reach $40.6 billion by 2024, NANO HEMP transforms discarded biomass into a valuable resource, promoting efficient, sustainable CNTs production and enabling growth across various industries.

How it works

NANO HEMP converts cannabis waste into carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Cannabis has a high carbon content, particularly in its hemp core scraps. These scraps undergo pyrolysis, a process where they are heated without oxygen, breaking them down into a gas. This gas is analyzed using gas chromatography, revealing the presence of methane, which is rich in carbon. The resulting precursor then undergoes chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In this step, carbon atoms are transported with argon gas to contact a high-temperature catalyst in a controlled environment. The carbon atoms then reorganize into CNTs. This efficient method lowers production costs, making CNTs more accessible for advanced applications such as gas sensors, while promoting sustainability by transforming waste into valuable resources. The synthesis process for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) faced challenges, including unsuitable catalysts, gas leaks, and impurity removal issues.

Design process

The design process for NANO HEMP began by identifying hemp waste as a high carbon content source for carbon nanotube (CNTs) synthesis, aiming to address waste management while producing valuable nanomaterials. Hemp core scraps were chosen for their carbon richness and underwent pyrolysis to break down into methane gas, confirmed by gas chromatography. The gas then underwent chemical vapor deposition (CVD), where carbon atoms were reorganized into CNTs using argon gas to transport them to a high-temperature catalyst. Challenges encountered the synthesis process faced challenges such as unsuitable catalysts, gas leaks, and impurity issues. These setbacks provided crucial insights into refining the process for better efficiency and effectiveness. Prototypes were developed using various catalyst ratios and application methods. Prototypes evolved from stainless steel lattice catalysts to more efficient metal particle catalysts, improving CNTs yield and purity. The current focus is on fully transitioning to metal particle catalysts to optimize production efficiency and reduce costs sustainably.

How it is different

NANO HEMP stands out from other similar products due to several key innovations. Firstly, it leverages cannabis waste, specifically hemp core scraps known for their high carbon content, as a primary feedstock for CNTs synthesis. Secondly, NANO HEMP employs a dual-process approach involving optimized pyrolysis and CVD techniques. This methodological combination ensures efficient carbon utilization and high purity in CNTs production, overcoming challenges like catalyst suitability and impurity issues that commonly hinder traditional methods. Overall, NANO HEMP's innovative approach offers a comprehensive solution to both environmental challenges and technological advancements in nanomaterial synthesis. By transforming cannabis waste into valuable CNTs through advanced pyrolysis and CVD techniques with optimized catalyst systems, NANO HEMP sets a new standard for sustainable and efficient nanomaterial production from biomass sources.

Future plans

Future steps involve scaling up production capabilities and exploring additional applications for CNTs beyond gas sensors. Expanding into fields such as energy storage, biomedical devices, and advanced composites will showcase the versatility of CNTs. The ultimate goal is to establish NANO HEMP as a sustainable solution for CNT production, contributing to both environmental stewardship and technological innovation.

Awards

Thailand International Nanotechnology Conference 8th Award Winner | Beat Posters Presentation Award

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