Research activities through publishing three articles in international journals

Dr. Rebar T. Abdulwahid, a lecturer and researcher associated with Cihan University Sulaimaniya, has authored three pioneering research articles published recently.

The first research titled ” Steps towards the ideal CV and GCD results with biodegradable polymer electrolytes: Plasticized MC based green electrolyte for EDLC application.” This significant contribution has received approval from the renowned international publisher Elsevier, notably in the esteemed Journal of Energy Storage. The journal is recognized for its high impact factor of 9.4 and indexed in both Clarivate and Web of Science.

In this study, we explored into sustainable energy storage with our latest research on biodegradable green polymer electrolytes. Our innovative approach involved blending MC polymer with sodium thiocyanate and varying glycerol levels to create flexible solid polymer electrolyte films. Notably, the incorporation of 50% glycerol demonstrated the highest conductivity, showing great promise for practical applications. The material withstood a voltage of 2.54 V, making it suitable for diverse applications. Impressively, our findings revealed remarkable capacitance (110 F.g⁻¹), energy density (15 Wh.Kg⁻¹), and power density (1300 W.Kg⁻¹), positioning these biodegradable supercapacitors as compelling alternatives to environmentally harmful Li-ion batteries.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2023.109730

The second research article by Dr. Abdulwahid, entitled “Clean energy storage device derived from biopolymers with moderate charge-discharge cycles: Structural and electrochemical properties.” This study is Published in a well-known international journal in Elsevier publisher, named (Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry) which has an impact factor of (6.1) and indexed Clarivate and Web of Science.

Our study focuses on a green biopolymer (GBP) energy storage system, aiming to address microplastic concerns and promote human health. By blending chitosan (CHN) and potato starch (SPC) with dopant salt and plasticizer, we achieved enhanced DC conductivity, as confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses indicated improved salt dissociation and amorphous phase. The conducting film demonstrated high potential stability, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed no charge transfer issues. The galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) plot revealed a notable specific capacitance. The electrical double-layer capacitor (EDLC) exhibited an average power density of 1120 W/kg and an energy density of 9.11 Wh/kg. These findings suggest promising applications in industry for sustainable energy storage solutions.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiec.2023.11.044

The last publishing is titled ” Electrochemical properties of a novel EDLC derived from plasticized biopolymer based electrolytes with valuable energy density close to NiMH batteries” This significant study has been published in the Journal of Scientific Reports, which is a part of the famous publisher Nature. The journal has an impact factor of (4.6) according to the latest journal citation report (JCR) released by Clarivate, and it has been indexed in Web of Science.

This study marks a significant leap in the development of solid electrolytes for electrical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs). The research introduces an innovative biopolymer electrolyte system with remarkable energy density comparable to NiMH batteries, representing a substantial step towards commercial viability. The electrolytes were crafted using a solution casting technique, employing a proton-conducting plasticized chitosan: poly(2-oxazoline) (POZ) with excellent film-forming properties. The samples have shown fully transparent nature, with enhancing ionic conductivity. Impedance techniques showed the superior performance, while electrochemical measurements, including linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV), validated its efficiency. Galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD) tests exhibited an outstanding energy density of 43 Wh/kg, along with good specific capacitance and power density over 500 cycles. These findings open the door to developing EDLCs resembling batteries, presenting a convincing energy storage option for the industry.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-48417-6