Paper-based Supercapacitor for Rapid Device Charging

• 24 Jun 2023

For Prelims: Supercapacitor, Lithium-Ion batteries, Seaweeds, Exclusive Economic Zone, Algal blooming, Bio-ethanol

For Mains: Significance of Seaweeds

Why in News?

Scientists at the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) have achieved a breakthrough in energy storage technology with the development of a paper-based supercapacitor.

• This cutting-edge supercapacitor, derived from seaweed, boasts remarkable attributes such as being lightweight, biodegradable, and capable of fully charging a device within a mere 10 seconds.

What is a Paper-based Supercapacitor?

• About:
  • The paper-based supercapacitor developed by GERMI researchers is the thinnest and most lightweight of its kind.
  • By leveraging cellulose nanofibers derived from seaweed, the team successfully created an anodic paper supercapacitor that exhibits exceptional tensile strength, performance, and cost-effectiveness.
• Applications and Business Prospects:
  • The applications of this innovative supercapacitor are vast, spanning electronics, memory backup systems, airbags, heavy machinery, and electric vehicles.
  • Consequently, it presents a lucrative business prospect for industries seeking high-performance energy storage solutions.
    • The technology's versatility and eco-friendly nature make it an attractive option for both manufacturers and consumers.
• The Potential of Marine Cellulose:
  • The paper supercapacitor owes its remarkable properties to the marine cellulose-based material derived from seaweed.
    • This material holds immense potential for integration into various smart electronic devices.
    • Additionally, the cultivation of seaweed can serve as a source of revenue for coastal communities, creating economic opportunities and sustainable development.

What is a Supercapacitor?

• A supercapacitor is an electrochemical charge storage device. They are also known as ultracapacitors.
  • It has significant advantages such as high-power density, long durability, and ultrafast charging characteristics as compared to conventional capacitors and Lithium-Ion batteries (LIB).
• Main components of supercapacitors include electrode, electrolyte, separator, and the current collector.

What are Seaweeds?

• About:
  • Seaweeds are macroalgae attached to rock or other substrata and are found in coastal areas.
  • They are classified as chlorophyta (green), rhodophyta (red) and phaeophyta (brown) on the basis of their pigmentation.
    • Among them, chlorophyta holds more potential components — carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and bioactive compounds.
• Significance:
  • Nutritional Value: Seaweeds are rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.
  • For Medicinal Purpose: Many seaweeds contain anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agents. Certain seaweeds possess powerful cancer-fighting agents.
  • Bioindicator: When waste from agriculture, industries, aquaculture and households are let into the ocean, it causes nutrient imbalance leading to algal blooming, the sign of marine chemical damage.
    • Seaweeds absorb the excess nutrients and balance out the ecosystem.
  • Oxygen Production: Seaweeds, as photosynthetic organisms, play a vital role in marine ecosystems by producing oxygen through photosynthesis, sustaining the respiration and survival of marine life.
  • Cellulose Content: Green seaweed that is collected from the Porbandar coast of Gujarat has a high amount of a particular type of cellulose in its cell wall.
    • Cellulose is found to be the most suitable biopolymer material for manufacturing paper-based electrode materials such as batteries for energy storage applications.
      • Cellulose itself is an insulating material that requires to be coated with conductive material to make a paper-based energy storage device.
• Seaweed Cultivation:
  • Out of the global seaweed production of around 32 million tons of fresh weight valued around USD 12 billion.
    • China produces approximately 57%, Indonesia 28% followed by South Korea, whereas India has a mere share of ~0.01-0.02%.
  • By an estimate, if cultivation is done in ~10 million hectares or 5% of the Exclusive Economic Zone area of India, it can provide employment to ~ 50 million people, contribute to national GDP, lead to ocean productivity, abates algal blooms, sequesters millions of tons CO2, and could produce bio-ethanol of 6.6 billion litres.

Source: DTE