This ultra-thin structure, remarkably thinner than a human hair, surpasses the performance of capacitors with randomly dispersed nanofillers, exhibiting superior energy density and efficiency.A capacitor prototype with stratified 2D nanofillers embedded in the polymer matrix being tested in a University of Houston lab.
“High-energy and high-power capacitors are the backbone of reliable power supplies, especially as we transition towards renewable energy sources,” explains Alamgir Karim, Dow Chair and Welch Foundation Professor of Chemical Engineering at UH and a faculty mentor on the project. “However, current dielectric capacitors fall short in terms of energy storage capacity compared to other options like batteries.
The researchers achieved maximized energy storage by strategically arranging these materials in distinct layers, forming a “sandwich-like” structure that optimizes capacitor performance. This ultra-thin structure, remarkably thinner than a human hair, surpasses the performance of capacitors with randomly dispersed nanofillers, exhibiting superior energy density and efficiency.
“By leveraging mechanical exfoliation and transfer techniques, we were able to achieve the desired orientation,” explains Professor Karim, highlighting the crucial role played by JSU researchers in this aspect. Both Professor Karim and Professor Nihar Pradhan from JSU are the corresponding authors of the published paper.