GERMI scientists created the thinnest, lightest, and biodegradable paper-based supercapacitor.
Supercapacitors are electrochemical charge storage devices with quick charging/discharging cycles, high power density, and extended lifespans.
This supercapacitor made from seaweed (marine macroalgae) charges a gadget in 10 seconds. Researchers say the gadget has great tensile strength, performance, and affordability.
The product can be employed in electronics, memory backup systems, airbags, heavy machineries, and electric automobiles.
Priyank Bhutiya and Syed Zaheer Hasan converted seaweed cellulose nanofibers into graphene oxide and zinc oxide. Anodic paper supercapacitors were made by hydrothermally growing nanowires on seaweed cellulose nanofibers.
This supercapacitor can fully charge a device within 10 seconds
The researchers published their discoveries in the peer-reviewed journal BioNanoSciecne (Springer publishing) and patented them.
The flexible and thinnest paper supercapacitor uses marine cellulose, which is compatible with most smart electronics. The researchers emphasized that coastal communities who grow seaweed, a key ingredient in paper supercapacitors, can profit from it.
Bhutiya stated seaweeds are coastal macroalgae connected to rock or other substrata. Their coloration classifies them as chlorophyta (green), rhodophyta (red), or phaeophyta (brown). The cell wall of chlorophyta contains more carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and bioactive substances. Green seaweed’s cell wall comprises a lot of cellulose.
According to experts, a flexible, lightweight, or cost-effective biodegradable energy storage system is needed now.
Cellulose is the best biopolymer for making paper supercapacitors and batteries for energy storage. They suggested a paper-based energy storage device needs conductive coating since cellulose is insulating.
Gujarati Porbandar seaweeds were green. Making paper supercapacitors was easy. In an asymmetrical supercapacitor, two seaweed cellulose nanocomposites and activated charcoal powder slurry sandwich a sodium chloride electrolyte-soaked paper separator.
Brijesh Tripathi from Pandit Deendayal Energy University and Rahul Kapadia helped test the device beyond 6,000 cycles without any performance deterioration.
Analytical methods examined the supercapacitor device. M Abdul Rasheed and PL Srinivasa Rao from GERMI co-authored the study.