Cellulose-Based Conductive Materials for Energy and Sensing Applications

Abstract

Cellulose-based conductive materials (CCMs) have emerged as a promising class of materials with various applications in energy and sensing. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis methods and properties of CCMs and their applications in batteries, supercapacitors, chemical sensors, biosensors, and mechanical sensors. Derived from renewable resources, cellulose serves as a scaffold for integrating conductive additives such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, metal particles, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), carbides and nitrides of transition metals (MXene), and conductive polymers. This combination results in materials with excellent electrical conductivity while retaining the eco-friendliness and biocompatibility of cellulose. In the field of energy storage, CCMs show great potential for batteries and supercapacitors due to their high surface area, excellent mechanical strength, tunable chemistry, and high porosity. Their flexibility makes them ideal for wearable and flexible electronics, contributing to advances in portable energy storage and electronic integration into various substrates. In addition, CCMs play a key role in sensing applications. Their biocompatibility allows for the development of implantable biosensors and biodegradable environmental sensors to meet the growing demand for health and environmental monitoring. Looking to the future, this review emphasizes the need for scalable synthetic methods, improved mechanical and thermal properties, and exploration of novel cellulose sources and modifications. Continued innovation in CCMs promises to revolutionize sustainable energy storage and sensing technologies, providing environmentally friendly solutions to pressing global challenges.

Nanocrystalline Cellulose-Supported Iron Oxide Composite Materials for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…Figure 4 c shows the detailed XPS spectrum of O 1s, which exhibits three peaks located at 530.25, 532.22, and 533.49 eV, demonstrating the Fe-O-C, Fe-O, and C-OH/C-O-C bonds to confirm the connection of Fe 2 O 3 with NCC [ 10 , 20 ]. The peak positions of three parts divided in the C 1s XPS spectrum ( Figure 4 d) are 284.94, 286.23, and 288.98, corresponding to C-C/C=C, C-O, and C=O bonds, respectively, regarding the C atoms around the NCC [ 29 ]. The obtained XPS spectrums indicate that the NCC–Fe 2 O 3 composite had been successfully fabricated.…”

“…Thus, the complexation of NCC to metal oxides will help to decrease the high surface energy of nanosized metal oxide particles, which effectively prevents the aggregation of nanosized metal oxide particles [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. In addition, the large surface and crystalline structure of nanocrystalline cellulose not only serve as the structural template in the carbonaceous metal oxides composite synthesis process but also effectively confine the Fe 2 O 3 nanosized particles in a restricted area, reducing the volume expansion during the charge/discharge process, which improves both electrochemical performance and the stability of the electrode materials during the cycling of LIBs [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. In addition, NCC contains numerous hydroxyl groups on its surface.…”

“…The introduction of the NCC framework can effectively buffer the volume expansion and contraction during the discharge/charge process. The crystalline structure of NCC can promote lithium-ion transport and increase lithium storage [ 26 , 27 , 29 , 43 ]. The combination of nanosized Fe 2 O 3 particles and NCC formed a high electrochemical performance composite, which delivers high specific capacity, outstandingly long cycle stability, and excellent rate performance when employed as an electrode material for LIBs.…”

Investigation of Cellulose-Based Materials Applied in Life Sciences Using Laser Light Scattering Methods

“…The production of pharmaceutical textiles based on cellulose is supposed to functionalize the polysaccharides with plant-derived materials, drugs, and metal nanoparticles [ 12 ]. Additionally, cellulose-based materials as superabsorbent hydrogels contribute to pollution control and water treatment [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], or are used as supercapacitors, batteries, and chemical/biological/physical sensors in the energy and sensing industries [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Advanced Electrospinning Technology Applied to Polymer-Based Sensors in Energy and Environmental Applications

“…Among them, piezoelectric sensing systems can detect human motion and small vibrations while collecting and storing energy through piezoelectric energy conversion [ 8 , 9 ]. For environmental detection and governance, various real-time detection sensing devices and pollutant degradation absorption materials have been developed in sequence [ 10 , 11 ].…”