A multi-institute research team led by Nagaland University (NU) has developed a cost-effective method for producing advanced materials intended for next-generation energy storage devices, known as supercapacitors, IANS reported. This new research could potentially revolutionize energy storage systems, which have been hindered by high material costs.
Supercapacitors, unlike traditional batteries, can store large amounts of energy and charge quickly, which makes them a promising solution to the increasing demand for sustainable and efficient energy systems. The key to improving the performance of these devices lies in the material used for their electrodes. The high cost of these materials has limited the widespread adoption of supercapacitors, but this new development could change that.
The research team, consisting of scientists from Nagaland University, Visvesvaraya Technological University (Karnataka), and Nagarjuna College of Engineering and Technology (Karnataka), has found a way to produce aminated graphene — a derivative of reduced graphene oxide — through a faster and more cost-effective method than traditional processes. This approach operates under moderate temperature and pressure conditions, making it more energy-efficient and scalable for large-scale production.
“This new method is significantly faster and more efficient than traditional approaches that are resource-intensive and time-consuming,” said Prof. Dipak Sinha from Nagaland University’s Department of Chemistry. “The resulting material not only simplifies the manufacturing process but also delivers enhanced performance, with an energy density exceeding 50 Wh/kg and 98% energy retention after 10,000 cycles.”
Early lab tests show that the material demonstrates promising electrochemical properties, with a wide 2.2 V electrochemical window. The material also achieves a fivefold increase in gravimetric energy density compared to its non-aminated counterpart, which further solidifies its potential for both scientific innovation and commercial viability.
The breakthrough research has already been granted an Indian patent, and it is now at a stage where it could be developed for commercial use, according to university officials.