Recently, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been gaining traction as a potentially game-changing solution for the problems we are currently facing with energy storage, with the potential to help us move towards a more sustainable, net-zero future. An exciting publication in Nature Nanotechnology has explored the capacity of CNTs to store high densities of energy, which would allow them to power technologies such as sensors.

The Impressive Energy Storage Capacity of Twisted Single-Walled CNT Ropes

In the study, the research team investigated the storage capacity of single-walled CNT ropes, which were twisted and analysed for energy release as they unwound. Remarkably, the energy density of these twisted CNT ropes reached 2.1 MJ kg⁻¹, which represents an energy storage capacity 15,000 times greater than steel springs and around three times higher than lithium-ion batteries per unit mass. 

In addition to their impressive energy storage capacity, the energy stored in these twisted single-walled CNT ropes remained consistent and accessible across a wide temperature range, from -60 to +100 °C, and did not deplete over time. This makes twisted CNT ropes suitable for long-term energy storage applications in diverse environmental conditions. 

What Does This Mean for the Future of CNT-Based Energy Storage?

These exciting findings demonstrate not only the potential of CNTs for energy storage but also the critical role that their configuration plays in enhancing performance. Simply using CNTs is not enough; users must also take great care to adopt the most appropriate configuration to optimise their output and maximise their potential.

As the CNT market continues to expand, we expect to see more and more of these developments come to life and accelerate the transition from research to real-world applications. However, such breakthroughs hinge on the availability of high-quality, economically priced CNTs that will allow research groups and companies to scale-up and scale-out innovations from the lab to the market. TrimTabs is committed to providing access to these critical materials to drive the future of CNT-based technologies.

For more details, check out the full research article below. 

Research paper