Researchers turn coal powder to graphite in microwave oven

The team from the University of Wyoming have had their findings  published in the journal Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects. They believe this discovery will mark a step forward in the effort to find alternative uses for Wyoming’s Powder River Basin coal, at a time when demand for coal to generate electricity is declining due to climate change concerns.

Researchers reported that they created an environment in a conventional microwave oven to successfully convert raw coal powder into the higher value nano-graphite, which is used as a lubricant and in items ranging from fire extinguishers to lithium ion batteries.

“This method provides a new route to convert abundant carbon sources to high-value materials with ecological and economical benefits,” said the team, led by associate professor TeYu Chien, in UW’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. 

Generating clean energy from the coal mines

While previous research has shown that microwaves can be used to reduce the moisture content of coal and remove sulphur and other minerals, most methods require specific chemical pre-treatment of the coal. The UW researchers explained how in their experiment, they simply ground raw Powder River Basin coal into powder.