Peanut Shells Transformed into Graphene, a Wonder Material

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Scientists from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have found a remarkable way to transform peanut shell waste, a longstanding problem for the peanut industry, into high-quality graphene-like carbon materials. Their innovative approach utilizes the natural polymer lignin found in peanut shells and a process called flash joule heating to create graphene with exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution to graphene production.

Why it matters

This breakthrough not only addresses the issue of peanut shell waste management but also opens up new possibilities for graphene production, a material renowned for its exceptional properties. The researchers' method is environmentally friendly, as it avoids the use of chemicals, and significantly reduces energy consumption and production costs compared to traditional graphene manufacturing processes.

The details

The key to the researchers' process lies in the staged pretreatment of the peanut shells, which involves indirect Joule heating to remove impurities and transform the shells into char, a carbon-rich material with superior conductivity. This char is then used to create graphene, ensuring minimal defects and optimal electrical and thermal conductivity. While the process is not yet perfect and requires further refinement, the researchers are optimistic about its potential and plan to experiment with other biomass materials, such as coffee grounds and banana peels, to explore the versatility of their approach.

• The research was published in the Chemical Engineering Journal Advances in 2026.

What’s next

The researchers plan to continue refining the process and explore the use of other biomass materials to further expand the potential applications of their graphene production method.