Has Nagaland University Developed a Cost-Effective Material for Energy Storage Devices?

Kohima, May 5 (NationPress) A collaborative research team led by Nagaland University has pioneered an affordable and innovative technique to fabricate a cutting-edge material intended for the next generation of energy storage devices known as ‘Supercapacitors’, as stated by officials on Monday.

An official from the university highlighted that these devices are increasingly recognized for their capacity to store substantial energy while allowing for rapid charging, setting them apart from conventional batteries.

These supercapacitors are viewed as a viable answer to the escalating need for more efficient and sustainable energy systems.

A fundamental factor influencing a supercapacitor’s performance lies in the materials utilized for its electrodes. Unfortunately, the high costs associated with these materials have hindered their widespread adoption.

This research aligns well with India’s expanding emphasis on clean energy and environmentally-conscious technologies.

The research team has devised an innovative method to produce aminated graphene, a derivative of reduced graphene oxide, which is notably more cost-effective and expedites the entire production process compared to traditional methods.

Moreover, the resultant material showcased excellent electrochemical properties, potentially enhancing both the performance and affordability of energy storage systems.

Initial laboratory evaluations have yielded encouraging outcomes, and the research has already garnered an Indian patent. The project is now poised for potential commercial application, according to the official.

This groundbreaking research was conducted by a team featuring researchers from Nagaland University, Visvesvaraya Technological University in Karnataka, and Nagarjuna College of Engineering and Technology, also in Karnataka.

They have successfully devised economical approaches to produce high-performance ‘functionalised graphene’ for supercapacitor applications.

This material offers a broad electrochemical window, remarkable stability, and an impressive energy density. The findings were published in a prestigious journal that serves as a platform for original research across various scientific domains.

Discussing this research, Prof. Dipak Sinha from the Department of Chemistry at Nagaland University remarked, “In contrast to traditional methods that are often time-consuming and resource-intensive, our novel approach operates under moderate temperature and pressure, making it more energy-efficient and suitable for large-scale production.”

He emphasized that the resulting material not only simplifies the manufacturing process but also markedly enhances performance, allowing for a supercapacitor featuring a wide 2.2 V electrochemical window, an energy density surpassing 50 Wh/kg, and a remarkable 98 percent energy retention after 10,000 cycles.

Significantly, this method achieves a fivefold increase in gravimetric energy density when compared to its non-aminated counterpart, showcasing both scientific innovation and commercial viability, according to Prof. Sinha.