Cellulose‐Based Nanomaterials for Energy Applications

Abstract

Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer on earth, providing a sustainable green resource that is renewable, degradable, biocompatible and cost effective. Recently, nanocellulose-based mesoporous structure, flexible thin films, fibers, and networks are increasingly developed and used in photovoltaic devices, energy storage systems, mechanical energy harvesters, and catalysts components, showing tremendous materials science value and application potential in many energy-related fields. In this review article, we review the most recent advancements of processing, integration and application of cellulose nanomaterials in the areas of solar energy harvesting, energy storage, and mechanical energy harvesting. For solar energy harvesting, promising applications of cellulose-based nanostructures for both solar cells and photoelectrochemical electrodes development are reviewed, and their morphology-related merits are discussed. For energy storage, our discussion is primarily focused on the applications of cellulose-based nanomateriales in lithium ion batteries, including electrodes (e.g. active materials, binders and structural support), electrolytes, and separators. Applications of cellulose nanomaterials in supercapacitors are also overviewed briefly. For mechanical energy harvesting, we review the most recent technology evolution of cellulose-based triboelectric nanogenerators, from fundamental property tuning to practical implementations. At last, the future research potential and opportunities of cellulose nanomaterials as a new energy material are commented.

Sustainable Battery Materials from Biomass

“…Polymer membranes may simultaneously serve as separator and solid/gel‐like electrolyte. Besides conventional petrochemical polymers and designer polymers, biopolymers have also recently been discussed as functional units in separators or as part of solid polymer electrolytes . Besides mechanically separating the electrodes, biomass‐based solid electrolytes may fulfil further important tasks, such as prevention of polysulfide shuttling in sulfur‐based batteries .…”

“…Consequently, such separators have been investigated in combination with all kinds of electrodes, including not only inorganic but also organic electrode materials . However, limitations from high water content, stability problems, and safety issues have prevented commercial application in lithium‐ion batteries to date . Several researchers have tried to circumvent such issues, for example, by thorough drying .…”

Nanocellulose‐based polymer composites for energy applications—A review

“…66 As CNC is soluble in water it can be a potential replacement to the perilous organic solvents typically used in these batteries. 67 Electrodes-Wang et al developed a CNC/carbon nano tube (CNT) and Si-based anode and found its specific capacity to be in the range of 800 mAh g −1.68 Carbonized CNC electrodes on the other hand were found to have a 94.8% capacity retention after 300 cycles thus indicating long cycle life. 55 Kim et al developed Lithium metal batteries having Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) as a cathode and Lithium metal as an anode.…”

A Water‐Soluble NaCMC/NaPAA Binder for Exceptional Improvement of Sodium‐Ion Batteries with an SnO2‐Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Anode

“…The importance of binders is usually overlooked,a st hey account for only approximately 5wt% of the electrode material and directly contribute little to the capacity. [18,20] Moreover,b oth PVDF and NMP are expensive and difficult to recycle. [19] PVDF is usually dissolved in volatile, flammable, and toxic N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) solventf or electrode slurry preparation, which requires special careo fthep rocessing conditions, and thus has ah igh productionc ost.…”

“…[19] PVDF is usually dissolved in volatile, flammable, and toxic N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) solventf or electrode slurry preparation, which requires special careo fthep rocessing conditions, and thus has ah igh productionc ost. [18,20] Moreover,b oth PVDF and NMP are expensive and difficult to recycle. For NIB applications, it has been reported that PVDF tends to defluorinate during sodiation, leadingt ol oss of electrode integrity.…”