By Dickson Omobola

Nigerian-born scientist, Dr Oluwaseyi Saliu, has disclosed that energy storage technology developed with biopolymer-based nanomaterials can eliminate the conventional carbonisation process used in supercapacitors.

He stated that this offers a cheaper, greener and more sustainable alternative for global energy storage needs.

Saliu, in his interaction with newsmen, introduced a new protonation and activation protocol that enhances ionic transport in biopolymers, achieving conductivity levels of up to 85 μScm⁻¹.

This breakthrough, according to him, simplifies electrode production and drastically reduces environmental impact.

Speaking to newsmen, he said: “Our goal was to demonstrate that natural materials can perform as efficiently as carbon-based electrodes, without the heavy carbon footprint.”

The scientist, who hails from Akure, fine-tuned the structural and electronic behaviour of starch and gelatin nanocrystals, forming Ti-O-bridged hybrids that deliver exceptional results—808 F g⁻¹ specific capacitance, 208 Wh kg⁻¹ energy density, and 96 per cent retention.

According to Saliu, the key lies in the Ti-O bonding mechanism along the C6 molecular position, which forms dynamic Ti-O-Ti coordination networks. These networks enable what he describes as “dual-layer charge storage,” marking what he calls “a major leap forward in the science of supercapacitors.”

He said: “We are proving that innovation doesn’t always have to mean industrial complexity; nature itself offers incredible design templates.”

Saliu’s pH-driven conduction studies on gold-metallized cellulose also produced impressive results, recording 603 F g⁻¹ capacitance and 96 Wh kg⁻¹ energy density. These complementary findings reinforce the robustness and versatility of his biopolymer designs, providing a scalable model for future sustainable electrode production.

He said: “It’s about unlocking the hidden potential of natural polymers while protecting the environment. Sustainability is no longer a choice, it’s the future. Our work proves that the future can be both green and powerful.”