Reuse and repurpose of coal byproducts for production of sodium-ion battery hard carbon anodes

Principal investigator: Wesley Chang

University: Drexel University

Industry partner: CONSOL Energy Inc.

This proposal develops a process for reusing and repurposing coal byproducts for sodium-ion battery hard carbon anodes. As the third-largest coal-producing state in the US, Pennsylvania plays an important role in domestic energy generation. While coal production is on the decline, the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources remains a complex and multifaceted process, and efforts to repurpose waste coal may help reduce loss of workforce while strengthening domestic energy security. Here, we explore coal processing and performance relationships to understand the conversion process into an amorphous hard carbon that can be used for rechargeable sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion is a leading contender for a low-cost and domestically-sourced rechargeable battery, and hard carbon represents a potential new market entry point for CONSOL. In combining CONSOL’s carbon processing knowledge and available materials with Drexel’s electrochemistry and battery expertise, our joint efforts may help spur new manufacturing processes in-state.