Utilization of Carbon Supply Chain Wastes and Byproducts to Manufacture Graphite for Energy Storage Applications

Graphite is a critical material because it is the negative electrode in Li ion batteries (LIBs). Growth in the EV market will drive significant LIB requirements in the future. Graphite can be mined (natural graphite) or produced from other carbon sources (synthetic graphite). Unfortunately, the United States does not have operating graphite mines. Coal is an abundant resource that is losing its dominance in electricity generation. The United States maintains vast coal reserves while it is transitioning away from coal-derived electricity. Researchers at the Institute for Sustainability and the Environment are researching ways to produce battery-grade graphite from coal and coal wastes. This could address a serious critical material concern and provide domestic materials for LIB manufacturing.

Advantages

• Utilizes the nation’s vast coal reserves
• Generates graphite domestically
• Lower cost than natural graphite or other synthetic graphite

Technology Readiness Level

• Coal-derived Graphite for Energy Storage Applications: TRL-3

Current Investigators

• Jason Trembly, Principal Investigator

• John Staser, co-Principal Investigator

Sponsors

• U.S. Department of Energy