By Abbas Nazil
Nigerian-born scientist, Dr. Oluwaseyi Saliu, has unveiled a breakthrough in energy storage technology using biopolymer-based nanomaterials, eliminating the need for conventional carbonisation in supercapacitors.
The innovation promises a cheaper, greener, and more sustainable alternative to traditional carbon-based energy storage solutions.
Dr. Saliu introduced a new protonation and activation protocol that enhances ionic transport in biopolymers, achieving conductivity levels up to 85 μScm⁻¹, simplifying electrode production while reducing environmental impact.
He emphasized that natural materials can perform as efficiently as carbon-based electrodes without the heavy carbon footprint typically associated with industrial processes.
Hailing from Akure, Saliu refined the structural and electronic properties of starch and gelatin nanocrystals, forming titanium-oxygen (Ti-O) bridged hybrids that deliver exceptional performance, including 808 F g⁻¹ specific capacitance, 208 Wh kg⁻¹ energy density, and 96 percent retention.
The key mechanism, he explained, involves Ti-O bonding along the C6 molecular position, creating dynamic Ti-O-Ti coordination networks that enable “dual-layer charge storage,” which Saliu describes as a major advancement in supercapacitor science.
Further studies on gold-metallized cellulose demonstrated 603 F g⁻¹ capacitance and 96 Wh kg⁻¹ energy density, highlighting the versatility and scalability of his biopolymer designs.
Dr. Saliu stressed that the work demonstrates the untapped potential of natural polymers, providing a pathway to environmentally friendly and high-performance energy storage.
He concluded that sustainability in energy technology is not optional but essential, and his research proves that green innovation can achieve powerful and practical results.
The breakthrough offers significant implications for the global energy sector, particularly for the production of sustainable, high-efficiency supercapacitors suitable for widespread application.
This development is being hailed as a major step toward reducing carbon emissions while advancing clean energy technology worldwide.
