Indian researchers have developed a high-voltage supercapacitor that could make energy storage systems more stable and help electric vehicles achieve longer driving range and quicker acceleration, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The new device is based on a dual-purpose porous graphene carbon nanocomposite electrode and operates at 3.4 volts. This is higher than the 2.5 to 3.0 volts typically seen in commercial supercapacitors, where higher voltages often lead to breakdown of materials and safety risks.
The development was carried out by scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). By using the specially designed electrode, the researchers were able to overcome the voltage limits of existing systems while also improving energy storage.
According to the researchers, the advance tackles long-standing problems related to instability inside supercapacitors. The higher voltage and improved design double the energy density compared with conventional devices. This can allow electric vehicles to travel farther and accelerate faster, while also reducing the need to connect many low-voltage cells together, making systems simpler and more compact.
The improved performance comes from the surface design of the new material, which repels water while working efficiently with organic electrolytes. This reduces damage caused by moisture and allows faster movement of charged particles within the structure, leading to better overall performance. Tests showed the supercapacitor stores 33 per cent more energy, delivers high power output, and remains stable over long periods, making it suitable for electric vehicles, large-scale energy storage, and portable electronics.
The electrodes are made using an environmentally friendly process that relies on heat and pressure, with 1,2-propanediol as the base material. The process runs at 300 degrees Celsius for 25 hours in a sealed container and avoids the use of harsh chemicals or additional gases. Researchers reported yields of more than 20 per cent and said the method can be scaled up from laboratory work to industrial production.
The final material has a structure that allows quick movement of charged particles and high energy storage, achieving a power output of up to 17,000 watts per kilogram. Compared with commonly used carbon-based electrodes, the new electrode improves both operating voltage and power output at the same time.
Tests also showed that the supercapacitor retains 96 per cent of its performance even after 15,000 charge and discharge cycles, highlighting its durability.
The researchers said the development supports India’s clean energy goals and the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiative by strengthening local capabilities in advanced energy storage technologies. The study has been published in the Chemical Engineering Journal and was supported by the Department of Science and Technology under its Technical Research Centre programme.
