Jarul tree research at NBU leads to energy storage options

A team of researchers at the University of North Bengal (NBU) has unlocked a new scientific dimension of the Jarul tree (Lagerstroemia speciosa), a familiar flowering plant across Bengal, by demonstrating its potential application in energy storage materials.

The study, led by Dr Sanjib Bhattacharya of the Composite Materials Research Lab in NBU’s department of physics, is the first of its kind to examine the tree’s microstructure and electrical conductivity under controlled light exposure.

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The researchers tested the leaves of the Jarul tree under varying levels of illumination ranging from 0 to 200 watts. Their observations revealed a distinct phase shift in the material’s electrical behaviour. Significantly, when exposed to 100-watt illumination, the material achieved a stable structure, confirmed by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermogravimetric (DTG) curves.

The findings suggest that the Jarul exhibits properties of an organic semiconductor, showing a specific capacitance nature. In particular, the study notes the phenomenon of polaron hopping, enabled by the presence of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) in both bulk and nanophase forms. Such characteristics, according to the researchers, make the material a strong candidate for developing low-cost, sustainable energy storage devices.

“This work shows how a common tree of our region can be studied at the microscopic and electrical levels to provide solutions in advanced materials research. The Jarul, traditionally admired for its purple blossoms, now emerges as a scientific resource with energy applications,” said Dr. Bhattacharya.

The research has been published in Results in Materials, a peer-reviewed journal of Elsevier, underscoring its international recognition. Scientists believe that such studies bridge biodiversity and cutting-edge material science, while also highlighting the importance of India’s local flora in contributing to global research.

The Jarul tree, also known as Banaba in other parts of Asia, has long been valued in traditional medicine. With this new research, it could soon find a place in the growing field of renewable energy and green technology.