Durian shells are rich in carbon and have high porosity, which scientists have transformed into nano carbon sheets capable of storing electric charge.
A research team from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, has developed nano carbon sheets that store electric charge in capacitors for electric vehicles and electric motorcycles.
The durian shell utilized by the team to increase value. (Photo: Science Daily).
In the pretreatment stage, scientists clean the durian shells and dry them at 100 degrees Celsius for about 6 hours. The shells are then ground into powder and heated to 700 to 900 degrees Celsius in an oxygen-deficient environment for 150 minutes. This method can convert the powder into ultra-thin nano carbon sheets.
Professor Dhayalan Velauthapillai, the team leader, stated that the nano carbon material consists of layers of carbon atoms arranged in hexagonal structures linked together like a honeycomb. Their energy storage capability lies in their porous structure, which allows for a large amount of electric charge to be stored. “The porosity advantage of durian shells increases the surface area of carbon in the nano sheet and allows for more electricity to be stored,” he said.
Additionally, the nano carbon sheets made from durian shells exhibit good electrical conductivity and thermal stability. Compared to the production process of nano sheets from hemp fibers, the method using durian shells is more energy-efficient.
Therefore, the research team hopes to collaborate with agricultural partners to develop nano carbon sheets on a larger scale than in the laboratory by reducing energy consumption in the production process to enhance environmental friendliness. The team is also exploring the potential use of various fruit peels in this field.
