Review—Nanomaterials Green Synthesis for High-Performance Secondary Rechargeable Batteries: Approaches, Challenges, and Perspectives

Abstract

Significant climate change and variable fossil energy prices are forcing us to minimize fossil fuel consumption and develop innovative energy conversion and storage systems capable of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Batteries are the most common form of alternative energy systems, and cathode materials are critical for their performance. Their low-rate performance and short lifespan severely hamper the efficiency of cathode materials. The adoption of nanotechnology is essential to improve the cathode life cycle and maintain capacity. Conventional synthetic techniques face serious problems in producing complex nanomaterials with precise design, high efficiency, and long life. Recent efforts have been made to utilize bio-inspired materials in a variety of applications, emphasizing the importance of biomimetics due to their unique advantages and excellent properties. This review examines the synthesis mechanism, properties, and advances of bioinspired materials in the production of nanomaterials in order to pave the way for the future study of rechargeable batteries. Subsequently, the solutions and problems encountered by cathode materials in the main categories of secondary rechargeable batteries are addressed. The aim of this study is to alert scientists toward this promising development trend in bio-inspired battery materials.

Functional Biomass‐Derived Materials for the Development of Sustainable Batteries

“…Different plant species have unique organisational structures that have led to the preparation of carbon‐based catalysts (porous carbon, carbon nanotubes and graphene) with different structures [59–61] . In most biosynthetic studies, plants and their parts (e. g., leaves, pollen, stems, and flowers) have been used as natural sources for the synthesis of nanomaterials [62–64] . This overview describes the characteristics and properties of various plant‐based biomass materials and their applications in batteries.…”

“…Overcoming these limitations is crucial for the development of high‐performance batteries with high energy density and a long battery life. Unlike traditional precious‐metal‐based materials, which are expensive, environmentally unfriendly, and scarce, natural biomass materials are cheap, environmentally friendly, and abundant [50–52] . In recent years, various biomass materials derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms have been used to synthesize inorganic compounds for energy storage in batteries [53–57] …”

“…Unlike traditional precious-metal-based materials, which are expensive, environmentally unfriendly, and scarce, natural biomass materials are cheap, environmentally friendly, and abundant. [50][51][52] In recent years, various biomass materials derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms have been used to synthesize inorganic compounds for energy storage in batteries. [53][54][55][56][57] In this review, we first discuss the applicability of different biomass types such as plants, animals, and microorganisms in the fabrication of batteries.…”

A Precise BSA Protein Template Developed the C, N, S Co-Doped Fe3O4 Nanolayers as Anodes for Efficient Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…19−21 Proteins with exquisite multidomain structure and self-assembly characteristics are helpful to construct good nanoscale templates and porous structures. 22,23 Records et al utilized M13 virus to develop a 3D nickel phosphide nanofoams electrode with uniform morphology and tunable phase. 24 Zhao et al used the egg white as the ion binding template to synthesize carbon-based Fe 3 N network composite nanomaterials, which can effectively promote lithium ions to pass through crystalline semiconductors network and then enhance the electrochemical performance of LIBs.…”

“…In recent years, natural carbon-based templates (i.e., microorganisms, plant organs, diatomite, etc.) have attracted considerable attention due to their various structures, low price, and green and renewable aspects. − Proteins are the most promising biochar-based templates, containing a long-chain biomacromolecule formed by multiple amino acids through peptide bonds. − Proteins with exquisite multidomain structure and self-assembly characteristics are helpful to construct good nanoscale templates and porous structures. , Records et al utilized M13 virus to develop a 3D nickel phosphide nanofoams electrode with uniform morphology and tunable phase . Zhao et al used the egg white as the ion binding template to synthesize carbon-based Fe 3 N network composite nanomaterials, which can effectively promote lithium ions to pass through crystalline semiconductors network and then enhance the electrochemical performance of LIBs .…”