Rapid Conversion of Polyethylene into Carbon via Hydrothermal Processing
A rapid, low-cost hydrothermal process converts inexpensive polyethylene plastic into carbon sheets for components like battery electrodes, outperforming current production methods.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new method for synthesizing carbon sheets. A hydrothermal process was designed for rapid conversion of polyethylene, a commodity plastic, into carbon sheets. Polyethylene is significantly cheaper than polyacrylonitrile and the conversion process takes less overall time and temperature making it a superior method of producing carbon sheets.
Advantages:
-Low cost
-Quicker than current methods
Potential Applications:
-Carbon sheet Parts
-Battery Electrodes
TRL: 4
Intellectual Property:
Provisional-Patent, 2019-01-29, United States | Utility Patent, 2020-01-27, United States | CIP-Patent, 2021-09-28, United States
Keywords: carbon sheets, hydrothermal process, polyethylene conversion, commodity plastic, low cost carbon, quicker synthesis, polyacrylonitrile alternative, carbon sheet parts, battery electrodes, carbon materials