University of Silesia researcher studies new graphite production methods

Professor Karolina Jurkiewicz from the University of Silesia in Katowice has received funding to research more efficient and environmentally friendly ways to produce graphite. The project, titled “Graphitization of carbon bio-precursors using low-temperature hybrid catalysts,” was awarded 1,949,559 PLN through the National Science Centre’s SONATA 21 competition.

Graphite is a critical raw material for the production of lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, portable electronics, and electric vehicles. With global demand for graphite projected to potentially double by 2040, scientists are seeking ways to synthesize the material to ensure higher purity and structural consistency compared to natural deposits, which often suffer from quality fluctuations.