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...
View moreDescription:
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 for the collaboration and commercialization of a scalable manufacturing method to produce three-dimensional (3D) graphene. This technology utilizes domestic coal or petroleum pitch to create an electrically conductive, porous material suitable for use as sorbents, supercapacitor electrodes, or electrochemical sensors. The process involves a pyrolysis method that incorporates a chemical activating agent designed for recovery, regeneration, and reuse, maintaining process efficiency without impacting product yield or quality. The opportunity is classified under NAICS 335991: Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing.
The developed 3D graphene features a hierarchical interconnected network of pores and low density of surface defects. According to the technology description, supercapacitor electrodes fabricated with this material demonstrate significant improvements in specific capacitance, areal capacitance, and gravimetric energy density compared to commercial alternatives. The technology is currently at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3-5, and NETL has filed for patent protection. Potential applications include lithium-sulfur batteries, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, and purification sorbents for water or gas processing.
This special notice, identified by solicitation number NETL-23N-13, is not a procurement. Interested parties are invited to submit a written statement of interest detailing company information, a point of contact, and relevant expertise or facilities to the designated partnership email address. The response deadline for this collaboration opportunity is July 6, 2026. One attachment related to technology transfer was published with the notice on April 6, 2026. Interested entities may discuss the opportunity under non-disclosure agreements to protect proprietary information.
Generated by Lumen AI
Scoped analysis and attachments—go beyond the summary when you need detail from the solicitation package.