Atom-thin carbon material stores big charge

Modify a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon with the right molecules and you have the makings of an efficient way to store lots of electricity.

Chemically modified graphene has high capacitance levels for carbon materials. High capacitance is a prerequisite for high energy densities, the hallmark of efficient ultracapacitors. Ultracapacitors store larger amounts of electricity than batteries and discharge it more quickly, though they empty more quickly, too.

Researchers are developing lightweight, high-efficiency ultracapacitors for electric vehicles.

Research paper:
Graphene-Based Ultracapacitors
Nano Letters, published online September 13, 2008

Researchers' homepage:
Nanoscience and Technology lab, University of Texas

Related stories and briefs:
Carbon nanosheets hold more electricity -- related development (note comment)

Back to ERN September 22/29, 2008

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Atom-thin carbon material stores big charge

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