Enhanced Lunar regolith as a key component for supercapacitors and sodium-ion batteries

Enhanced Lunar regolith as a key component for supercapacitors and sodium-ion batteries

Článek WoS

The sustainable use of extra-terrestrial materials for energy storage represents a critical step toward achieving long-term lunar and Martian colonization. In this study, lunar regolith simulant is investigated as a multifunctional electrode material for both supercapacitors and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) to demonstrate its potential within in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) frameworks. The regolith, composed of mixed silicate and oxide phases, was thermally modified through controlled sintering to enhance its structural and electrochemical characteristics. Comprehensive material analyses confirmed the formation of a hierarchically porous microstructure enriched with sodium aluminosilicate and magnesium oxide phases, which facilitate efficient ion diffusion and stable charge transfer. The modified regolith exhibited excellent capacitive behavior and long-term cycling stability, validating its suitability as a durable supercapacitor electrode. When employed as an anode for sodium-ion batteries, it displayed robust electrochemical activity with good rate capability and retention, highlighting its versatility in dual-mode energy storage applications. These results establish lunar regolith simulant as a viable ISRU-based feedstock for high-performance energy storage devices, supporting both extraterrestrial missions and sustainable terrestrial energy technologies.

The sustainable use of extra-terrestrial materials for energy storage represents a critical step toward achieving long-term lunar and Martian colonization. In this study, lunar regolith simulant is investigated as a multifunctional electrode material for both supercapacitors and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) to demonstrate its potential within in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) frameworks. The regolith, composed of mixed silicate and oxide phases, was thermally modified through controlled sintering to enhance its structural and electrochemical characteristics. Comprehensive material analyses confirmed the formation of a hierarchically porous microstructure enriched with sodium aluminosilicate and magnesium oxide phases, which facilitate efficient ion diffusion and stable charge transfer. The modified regolith exhibited excellent capacitive behavior and long-term cycling stability, validating its suitability as a durable supercapacitor electrode. When employed as an anode for sodium-ion batteries, it displayed robust electrochemical activity with good rate capability and retention, highlighting its versatility in dual-mode energy storage applications. These results establish lunar regolith simulant as a viable ISRU-based feedstock for high-performance energy storage devices, supporting both extraterrestrial missions and sustainable terrestrial energy technologies.

ENERGY-STORAGE; ELECTROD; ESURFACE; CARBON; XPS

ENERGY-STORAGE; ELECTROD; ESURFACE; CARBON; XPS

MANOHARAN, K.; KALLESHAPPA, B.; PUMERA, M.

26.05.2026

NPG Asia Materials

18

1

Japonsko

29

12

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41427-026-00654-7