Linyi launches nanoporous carbon production line

The world's first 300-ton mass production line for high-quality nanoporous carbon powder has started operation in Linyi, marking a breakthrough in moving a next-generation battery material from laboratory research to industrial-scale production.

The line was launched on June 12 at a nano silicon-based materials industrial park in Junan county, Linyi, by Momentum Materials' Linyi-based production entity. Nanoporous carbon, a black powder with precisely controlled pore structures, is a key support material for silicon-carbon anodes, which can improve energy storage, fast charging and electric vehicle range.

Viola Birss, a professor at the University of Calgary and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, said at the launch that basic research on nanoporous carbon began in her University of Calgary team 20 years ago. Li Xiao'an, then a Chinese student in her research group, now chairs the Linyi-based company leading the project.

Li said the team developed a scalable pitch-based hard-template process and a new method for preparing three-dimensional ordered porous carbon, allowing customized mesoporous carbon products with pore sizes from 2 to 10 nanometers. The line is expected to reach daily ton-level output by the end of June and an annual capacity of 300 metric tons.

Li Wei, deputy Party secretary and head of Junan county, said the project would help to attract related nano silicon-based and new energy equipment industries. The company is also preparing a 3,000-ton line planned for 2027.

A 300-ton nanoporous carbon powder production line starts operation in Junan county, Linyi. [Photo/Linyi Daily]

Editor：韩蒙蒙