Ilaria Rosella Pagliaro From a plant waste comes a revolutionary material that protects the electrodes of supercapacitors and makes them more durable, reducing the disposal and weight of electronic waste globally
©Energy Storage Materials
A waste product once seen as useless might soon power the future of energy. Researchers from Scotland, South Korea, and India have discovered that a natural rubber discarded in India can significantly enhance the lifespan, efficiency, and sustainability of supercapacitors.
The unlikely hero? Kondagogu gum, a polysaccharide extracted from the bark of the Cochlospermum gossypium tree, which is native to India. Typically considered a nuisance by local authorities due to disposal difficulties, this rubber has now become a promising resource, as revealed in a study published in Energy Storage Materials.
The research team combined kondagogu gum with sodium alginate to create a biodegradable, sponge-like biopolymer called KS. When added to the acidic electrolyte inside supercapacitors, KS forms a protective coating on carbon electrodes, preventing their degradation over time while still allowing ion flow—a critical function for charge and discharge cycles.
Supercapacitors, used in everything from electronic devices and power grids to electric vehicles, differ from traditional batteries in their ability to charge and discharge rapidly. However, their Achilles’ heel has always been durability: electrode corrosion shortens their lifespan dramatically. That’s where this new biopolymer steps in.
Longer-lasting supercapacitors
Lab tests showed clear results: supercapacitors enhanced with KS retained 93% of their energy capacity even after 30,000 usage cycles. In contrast, identical devices without KS dropped to just 58% efficiency after the same period.
“We took a rubber that’s difficult to dispose of and turned it into an eco-friendly, recyclable biopolymer that dramatically extends the lifespan of supercapacitors.”
— Dr. Jun Young Cheong, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow
To put this in perspective: if used once per day, a KS-enhanced supercapacitor could last over 80 years without significant performance loss. This innovation could not only reduce e-waste but also minimize the need to replace worn-out components—a win for both industry and the planet.
The study is part of a broader initiative led by Dr. Cheong, who has long investigated the use of organic waste to improve batteries and energy storage technologies. His prior work includes developing water-soluble binders for graphite anodes in lithium-ion batteries.
In addition to the University of Glasgow, researchers from South Korea’s Ajou University, Chung-Ang University, and Myongji University, along with Amrita University in India, contributed to the publication.
The findings highlight how nature—when studied and respected—can offer unexpected, powerful solutions for cutting-edge technology.
Source: Energy Storage Materials
