Recently, a team from the Skolkovo Institute of Technology in Russia and Aalto University in Finland has developed a new type of flexible supercapacitor. This innovative device uses single-walled carbon nanotubes as electrodes and boron nitride nanotubes as an insulating layer. The design allows the capacitor to endure mechanical deformation while maintaining high performance, thanks to its simple manufacturing process and long lifespan. The research was recently published in *Scientific Reports*.
The Russian-Finnish collaboration followed a traditional two-electrode configuration with an insulating layer in between. The electrode is made from a single layer of carbon nanotubes, which provides a large specific surface area, enhancing the capacitance. These materials are chemically stable and highly conductive. The space between the electrodes is filled with boron nitride nanotubes, offering excellent insulation properties. At just 0.5 mm thick, this material meets all necessary insulation requirements and also exhibits high strength and flexibility.
Testing showed that the supercapacitor retains 96% of its initial capacitance after 20,000 charge-discharge cycles. Its internal resistance is only 4.6 ohms, and it can withstand over 1,000 tensile tests with an elongation of up to 50%. The fabrication method involves dry deposition and vapor deposition, making the production process efficient and cost-effective. Researchers believe that this technology could soon move into mass production.
Traditional capacitors consist of two electrodes separated by an insulating layer, but supercapacitors have a more complex structure. They use an electrolyte between the electrodes, creating an ion layer at the interface that acts as a second electrode. As electronic devices become smaller and more advanced, there's a growing demand for compact, high-performance capacitors. This trend has driven continuous innovation in capacitor design.
With the rise of flexible electronics, such as foldable notebooks, capacitors must now be able to bend and stretch without losing functionality. Conventional flexible supercapacitors based on polymers and electrolytes struggle to meet these demands. They often lack sufficient mechanical strength and have larger dimensions—typically around 0.2 mm thick. Reducing their size tends to increase internal resistance significantly. In contrast, the new supercapacitor offers better performance and greater potential for future applications in flexible and wearable electronics.
Jilin Nengxing Electrical Equipment Co. Ltd. , https://www.nengxingelectric.com