Name | Type | Posted | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
Technology Transfer | netl.doe.gov | GOV | Apr 6, 2026 |
Collaboration Opportunity: Scalable Production of 3D Graphene from Coal/Petroleum Pitch for Advanced Energy Applications
Contact and place of performance
Not specified
Opportunity : NETL is seeking collaboration to further develop and commercialize a method for using coal pitch or petroleum pitch for making an electrically conductive, porous, 3-dimensional (3D) graphene material that can be used as a sorbent, supercapacitor electrode, or electrochemical electrode/sensor. The manufacturing method also allows for recovery, regeneration, and reuse of the K2CO3 chemical activatin...
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NETL researchers developed a process for producing a few-layer, 3D graphene, material with high electrical conductivity, high internal surface area and pore volume, low density of O-containing functional groups and surface defects, and a hierarchical interconnected network of pores ranging in size from 0.5 nanometers up to 500 microns. The manufacturing method involves a pyrolysis process using mixtures of coal tar pitch or petroleum pitch with a K2CO3 chemical activating agent. The manufacturing method allows for recovery, regeneration, and reuse of the K2CO3 activating agent without causing negative impacts on the 3D graphene quality, 3D graphene product yield, or overall process efficiency for manufacturing 3D graphene. When high mass loading supercapacitor electrodes are fabricated with this 3D graphene, the devices have ~50% improvement in specific capacitance, 50% improvement in areal capacitance, and 48% improvement in gravimetric energy density relative to devices fabricated with commercial electrode materials. The material characteristics of the 3D graphene indicate it can also be used for a range of sorbent applications, electrochemical electrode applications, electrochemical energy storage device applications, and electrochemical sensor applications.
Advantages/Benefits:
Potential Applications:
Development Status:
Current stage of technology development: TRL ☐ 0-2 ☒ 3-5 ☐ 5-9
NETL has filed for patent protection on this invention.
NETL is seeking industry partners with ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our partners gain a competitive edge in the marketplace through licensing and/or cooperative research and development collaborations. Interested parties can discuss this opportunity under non-disclosure agreements to protect company proprietary information.
NOTE: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Entities interested in developing technologies for manufacturing graphite should provide an electronic or written statement of interest, which includes the following:
Please provide a complete statement to ensure consideration of your interest in this opportunity.
The subject heading in an email response should reference "NETL 23N-13" and be directed to [email protected].
The Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is seeking industry partners to collaborate on the further development and commercialization of a scalable method for producing three-dimensional (3D) graphene from coal or petroleum pitch. This technology addresses commercial limitations in graphene production by utilizing low-cost, abundant domestic feedstocks through a pyrolysis process involving a potassium carbonate (K2CO3) chemical activating agent. The manufacturing method includes a process for the recovery, regeneration, and reuse of the activating agent without degrading the quality or yield of the resulting material. The resulting few-layer, 3D graphene is characterized by high electrical conductivity, high internal surface area, and a hierarchical interconnected pore network, making it suitable for sorbents, supercapacitor electrodes, and electrochemical sensors.
This special notice, identified by solicitation number NETL-23N-13, falls under NAICS 335991: Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing. The technology is currently at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3-5, and NETL has filed for patent protection on the invention. Potential applications include zinc-ion and lithium-ion hybrid capacitor electrodes, lithium-sulfur and zinc-iodine battery electrodes, and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. In performance testing, supercapacitor electrodes fabricated with this material demonstrated significant improvements in specific capacitance and gravimetric energy density compared to commercial alternatives.
Responses to this notice are due by July 6, 2026, and should be directed to the point of contact at [email protected]. Interested parties must provide a statement of interest that includes company contact information and a description of relevant expertise or facilities. This collaboration opportunity aims to move the technology into the commercial marketplace through licensing or cooperative research and development agreements. Metadata for this notice includes one attachment regarding technology transfer posted on April 6, 2026.
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