A team led by Nagaland University has developed a pioneering method to produce advanced, low-cost materials for next-generation energy storage devices known as supercapacitors. This patented innovation could accelerate the development of more efficient, sustainable energy systems in India and beyond.

Supercapacitors: The Future of Fast-Charging Energy Systems

Supercapacitors are increasingly recognized as vital for meeting global energy demands because they store large amounts of energy and charge much faster than traditional batteries. However, the high cost of electrode materials has limited their widespread adoption.

The research, published in the journal iScience, addresses this issue with a novel, cost-effective approach to creating aminated graphene, a high-performance derivative of reduced graphene oxide. The method significantly reduces production time and cost, while achieving enhanced electrochemical properties and energy density.

A Game-Changer in Energy Materials: Fast, Scalable, and Patent-Protected

The process developed by researchers from Nagaland University, Visvesvaraya Technological University, and Nagarjuna College of Engineering and Technology achieves a five-fold increase in gravimetric energy density compared to non-aminated counterparts.

“Unlike traditional methods that are time-consuming and resource-intensive, this new approach operates under moderate temperature and pressure conditions, making it energy-efficient, faster, and more suitable for large-scale production,” said Professor Dipak Sinha of Nagaland University. Initial lab tests confirmed high energy retention  (98% after 10,000 cycles)  and an impressive 2.2V electrochemical window.

Quickest Known Method for Producing Aminated Graphene Energy Storage

Suraj Kumar, DST-INSPIRE Fellow and lead researcher, explained, “Traditional methods demand high temperatures, elevated pressures, and lengthy processing times, which add to the complexity and cost of production. Our one-pot synthesis directly transforms bulk graphite into aminated graphene, making the process scalable, energy-efficient, and significantly faster.

The groundbreaking findings strongly underscore both the scientific innovation and commercial viability of the approach, offering significant new momentum for India’s ambitious clean energy goals and sustainable future