An　efficient　method　to　fabricate　graphene　nanosheets　(GNs)　from　pitch　was　developed.　Results　show　that　crystalline　GNs　can　be　prepared　by　pyrolysis　of　coal-tar　pitch　with　the　presence　of　aluminum.　The　resultant　Al4C3　provides　a　growth　environment　for　graphene　sheets.　After　HCl　pickling　treatment　the　GNs　have　an　average　thickness　of　3.95　nm　with　a　high　C/O　molar　ratio　of　60:1.　©　2014　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.