Aloe-Vera-Assisted NiO Nanoparticles Delivered 239 F/g in a Symmetric Supercapacitor

Aloe vera itself is not the charge-storage material. A 2024 Scientific Reports study used aloe-leaf extract in the green synthesis of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles and evaluated NiO as a supercapacitor electrode.

Aloe extract assists NiO nanoparticle synthesis

NiO nanoparticles were produced from a nickel precursor with aloe-derived compounds participating in the synthesis/stabilization process. The final active electrode material is NiO.

A symmetric NiO||NiO device

The two-electrode device delivered approximately 239 F/g specific capacitance, 47.8 Wh/kg energy density and 545 W/kg power density at 1 A/g within a 1.2-V window. Capacity retention was 89% after 2,000 cycles at 10 A/g. Two devices in series powered a red LED as a demonstration.

Not yet a low-cost EV storage technology

These metrics come from a specific laboratory electrode/electrolyte configuration. The study did not establish commercial cost, volumetric energy density, calendar lifetime or direct EV/grid performance.

Using plant extract can reduce reliance on some synthetic processing agents, but no full life-cycle assessment was performed. The appropriate interpretation is an electrode-material proof of concept.

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Reference

• Bulla M et al. Natural resource-derived NiO nanoparticles via aloe vera for high-performance symmetric supercapacitor. Scientific Reports. 2024;14:7389. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57606-w