University of Liverpool researchers have developed a groundbreaking energy storage material using sustainable carbon nanomaterial, Gii. This innovation could enable smaller, more efficient energy storage capabilities in ‘Internet-of-Things’ (IoT) devices.
In a paper published in Batteries & Supercaps, researchers from the University’s Department of Chemistry combined Gii with iron oxyhydroxide (FeOOH) through a process called electrochemical deposition, creating a powerful new electrode material for micro-supercapacitors. These small energy-storage devices are increasingly used to power IoT technologies, such as internet-connected sensors in vehicles and home appliances.
The key findings include:
- High voltage – Operating at a range of 2V, nearly double the typical 1.2V limit typically seen with electrodes, this innovation reduces the size and material requirements for energy storage devices.
- Sustainable – The electrode is water-based, offering a sustainable alternative to the solvent-based electrodes often used in IoT devices.
- Demonstration of FeOOH within an asymmetric device – Successfully paired with manganese oxide in a full-cell capacitor, FeOOH demonstrated its ability to balance voltage windows, achieving an extended 2V range, higher energy and power density, and ideal capacitor performance for real-world applications.
University of Liverpool chemist, Dr Filipe Braga, said “Via use of electrodeposition, the Gii-based electrode could enable IoT devices to use smaller, more powerful, and more sustainable energy storage systems, accelerating their adoption in everyday life.”
Professor Laurence J. Hardwick, who is also Director of the University’s Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, added: “Moreover, this research shows the huge potential for Gii to transform energy storage for small devices.
“By depositing metal oxides onto Gii’s highly conductive and open-structured carbon, we’ve created a scalable solution that meets the challenges of integrating energy storage into compact devices.
“Supercapacitors have a key role to play in driving the next stage of IoT technologies, and we are excited to continue exploring Gii’s capabilities in this field.”
Gii is a sustainable carbon nanomaterial produced by iGii. Gii is not mined or created through a toxic, high-energy process, it can be manufactured sustainably on an industrial scale.
Marco Caffio, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, iGii, said: “We are only beginning to uncover the full potential of Gii. Alongside its transformative benefits for the biosensor market, this research highlights Gii’s remarkable capabilities in energy storage.
“Whether supporting early-stage research or enabling market-ready products, Gii offers an unparalleled combination of cost-efficiency, sustainability, scalability, and supply security, making it the perfect material for driving innovation across multiple industries.”
The Liverpool research team from Professor Laurence Hardwick’s research group has a long-standing research collaboration with iGii dating back several years. The research was supported through an Innovate UK grant.
The paper `One-Step Electrodeposition of Iron Oxyhydroxide Onto 3D
Porous Graphene Substrates for on Chip Asymmetric MicroSupercapacitors’ (doi: doi.org/10.1002/batt.2024) is published in the journal Batteries & Supercaps.