Collaboration Opportunity: Scalable Production of 3D Graphene from Coal/Petroleum Pitch for Advanced Energy Applications
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), under the Department of Energy, has issued a Special Notice seeking collaboration opportunities for the scalable production of 3D graphene from coal or petroleum pitch. This initiative aims to commercialize a novel method for creating an electrically conductive, porous 3D graphene material for advanced energy applications, including sorbents, supercapacitor electrodes, and electrochemical sensors. This is not a procurement.
Opportunity Details
NETL has developed a process to produce high-quality, few-layer 3D graphene with excellent electrical conductivity, high internal surface area, and a hierarchical pore network. The manufacturing method involves pyrolysis of coal tar pitch or petroleum pitch with a K2CO3 chemical activating agent, which can be recovered, regenerated, and reused. This process yields 3D graphene that significantly improves supercapacitor performance (e.g., ~50% improvement in specific and areal capacitance). The technology is currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3-5, and NETL has filed for patent protection.
Advantages & Applications
Key advantages of NETL's method include:
- Simple manufacturing process.
- Recovery, regeneration, and reuse of the chemical activating agent.
- Production of high-quality 3D graphene.
- Utilization of low-cost, domestic feedstocks.
Potential applications for this 3D graphene material are broad, encompassing:
- Supercapacitor electrodes.
- Zinc ion and lithium ion hybrid capacitor electrodes.
- Lithium sulfur and zinc iodine battery electrodes.
- Carbon electrodes in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells and electrochemical sensors.
- Sorbents for water, fluid, or gas purification.
Collaboration Request & Response
NETL is actively seeking industry partners capable of bringing this invention to market through licensing agreements or cooperative research and development collaborations. Interested parties can discuss this opportunity under non-disclosure agreements.
To express interest, entities should provide an electronic or written statement including:
- Company Name and Address.
- Point of Contact: Name, address, and telephone number.
- Relevant Expertise and/or Facilities.
Key Dates & Contact
- Response Due: July 6, 2026, by 5:00 PM ET.
- Published Date: April 6, 2026.
- Email Subject: "NETL 23N-13"
- Submit to: Partnerships@NETL.doe.gov