**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Science & Technology reports the development of a high-voltage supercapacitor using a dual-functional porous graphene carbon nanocomposite (PGCN) electrode. Developed by researchers at ARCI, it achieves 3.4V, exceeding the limitations of conventional supercapacitors. This innovation enhances energy density and reduces the need for cell stacking, supporting India’s clean energy goals. The study was published in the Chemical Engineering Journal (Elsevier) on January 28, 2024.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **PGCN Electrode Development:**
* A high-voltage supercapacitor using a dual-functional PGCN electrode has been developed.
* The electrode can be used in applications like solar panels and electric vehicles.
* **Performance and Benefits:**
* Achieves 3.4V, overcoming the 3.0V limit of conventional supercapacitors and significantly improving energy storage.
* Improves energy density, enabling electric vehicles with increased range and faster acceleration.
* Simplifies module design through reduced cell stacking.
* Delivers 33% higher energy storage and excellent long-term stability.
* Retains 96% of its performance after 15,000 charge-discharge cycles.
* **Material Properties:**
* The PGCN material is both water-repellent and highly compatible with organic electrolytes.
* Suppresses water-induced degradation and enables rapid electrolyte penetration.
* Exhibits a micro- and mesoporous architecture that supports rapid ion transport.
* Delivers a power density of up to 17,000 W/kg.
* **Production Process:**
* PGCN electrodes are produced through an eco-friendly hydrothermal carbonization process.
* Uses 1,2-propanediol as the precursor at 300°C for 25 hours in a sealed vessel.
* The process minimizes environmental impact and achieves yields exceeding 20%.
* Scalable from laboratory to industrial production.
* **Supporting Initiatives:**
* Supports India's clean energy goals and the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiative.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Electric Vehicle Manufacturers**
* **Impact:** Access to supercapacitors that offer increased range and faster acceleration for electric vehicles.
* **Action Required:** Evaluate and integrate the new supercapacitor technology into electric vehicle designs.
**Stakeholder: Solar Panel Manufacturers**
* **Impact:** Access to new supercapacitors to create stabler solar panels.
* **Action Required:** Evaluate and integrate the new supercapacitor technology into solar panel designs.
**Stakeholder: Energy Storage Industry**
* **Impact:** Enhanced energy storage solutions with higher power output and long-term stability.
* **Action Required:** Further develop and commercialize the supercapacitor technology for various applications.
**Stakeholder: Government of India (Department of Science and Technology)**
* **Impact:** Supports the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiative and clean energy goals.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting research and development in advanced energy-storage technologies.
**Stakeholder: Researchers at ARCI**
* **Impact:** Recognition for developing a high-performance supercapacitor technology.
* **Action Required:** Continue to develop and refine the technology, explore new applications, and transfer the technology to industry partners.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Science and Technology (DST): The government department that oversees the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) and supported the research.
Aatma Nirbhar Bharat: An initiative of India that aims to strengthen indigenous capabilities in advanced energy-storage technologies, which this research supports.
International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI): An autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) where the dual-functional PGCN electrode was developed.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Novel supercapacitors with dual-functional
porous graphene can provide EV with faster
acceleration
प्रव तथ: 28 JAN 2026 11:46AM by PIB Delhi
A high-voltage supercapacitor based on a dual-functional porous graphene carbon nanocomposite (PGCN)
electrode has been developed which could facilitate stabler supercapacitors for applications like solar
panels and also provide electric vehicles with increased range and faster acceleration.
Conventional electrolytes used in commercial supercapacitors can operate between 2.5–3.0 V and begin to
decompose or face safety issues (such as flammability) at higher voltages.
Researchers at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials
(ARCI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) used dual-
functional PGCN electrodes to reach an unprecedented 3.4 V overcoming the 3.0 V limitation of
conventional supercapacitors along with significantly improved energy storage.
This innovation addresses electrolyte instability, doubling energy density to provide electric vehicles with
increased range and faster acceleration while simplifying module design through reduced cell stacking.
The enhanced performance originates from the engineered surface of the PGCN material, which is both
water-repellent and highly compatible with organic electrolytes. This dual functionality suppresses water-
induced degradation and enables rapid electrolyte penetration into the porous structure, improving ion
transport and electrochemical efficiency. As a result, the supercapacitor delivers 33% higher energy
storage, high power output, and excellent long-term stability, making it suitable for electric vehicles, grid-
scale storage, and portable electronics.
Fig 1: Schematic representation for facilitating rapid electrolyte infiltration and diffusion within the
porous structure of PGCN.
The PGCN electrodes are produced through an eco-friendly hydrothermal carbonization process using 1,2-
propanediol as the precursor. Conducted at 300°C for 25 hours in a sealed vessel, the process eliminates
the use of harsh chemicals and external gases, minimizes environmental impact, achieves yields exceeding
20%, and is scalable from laboratory to industrial production.The resulting material exhibits a micro- and mesoporous architecture that supports rapid ion transport and
high energy storage, delivering a power density of up to 17,000 W/kg. Consistent performance is ensured
through precise control of synthesis parameters. Compared with commercial carbon-based electrodes, the
PGCN electrode simultaneously enhances operating voltage and power output.
PGCN-based supercapacitor stores 33% more energy than conventional devices and retains 96% of its
performance after 15,000 charge–discharge cycles, demonstrating exceptional durability, as shown below.
Fig 2: Comparison of specific capacitance and energy density of the PGCN with the commercial YP-50F
electrode.
This work supports India’s clean energy goals and the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiative by strengthening
indigenous capabilities in advanced energy-storage technologies. The higher operating voltage reduces the
need for stacking multiple low-voltage cells, enabling more compact and efficient energy-storage
modules.
The study published in the Chemical Engineering Journal (Elsevier) has been supported by the
Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, under the Technical Research Centre
(TRC) initiative.
*****
NKR/FK/NM
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2219463) आगंतुक पटल : 398
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही