Graphene Production from Biobased Materials for Concrete Enhancement

2026 USDA-NIFA Competitive Research Support

Principal Investigators and affiliations:

• PI: Dr. Janie Moore, Texas A&M University
• Funded: $83,703
  
• Start Date: 1/1/2026
  
• End Date: 8/30/2026
  

Objectives

1. Compare the composition of biomass biochar pyrolyzed at low and ultra-high temperatures to understand how pyrolysis changes carbon purity.
2. Evaluate how precursor gases (hydrogen, methane, and synthesis gas) affect film growth using the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) facility at Beta Lab, especially carbon retention and morphology.
3. Analyze how much sulfur and oxygen (heteroatoms) remain in the films and how feedstock affects contamination and assess whether the films show structural features consistent with graphitic materials.
4. Determine the improvement of structural strengths of concrete mic using Beta Lab’s universal testing machine.
5. Conduct of techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) for major biomass resources in the South-Central region (ash juniper, cotton gin trash, corn and sorghum wastes, animal manure, coal, and municipal solid wastes (MSW).
   

Expected Project Outcomes

This research is expected to demonstrate a viable and sustainable approach for producing high-quality graphene from biobased materials, specifically biomass-derived waste, and to establish its effectiveness as a performance-enhancing additive in concrete. Key outcomes include the development of an optimized process for converting biomass to biochar and subsequently to graphene using chemical vapor deposition; comprehensive physicochemical characterization confirming the quality and functionality of the produced graphene; and the successful incorporation of this graphene into concrete mixtures, resulting in measurable improvements in mechanical strength, durability, and microstructural integrity.