Advances in Natural Biopolymer-Based Electrolytes and Separators for Battery Applications

Alkali metal batteries based on lithium, sodium, and potassium anodes and sulfur-based cathodes are regarded as key for next-generation energy storage due to their high theoretical energy and potential cost effectiveness. However, metal-sulfur batteries remain challenged by several factors, including polysulfides' (PSs) dissolution, sluggish sulfur redox kinetics at the cathode, and metallic dendrite growth at the anode. Functional separators and interlayers are an innovative approach to remedying these drawbacks. Here we critically review the state-of-the-art in separators/interlayers for cathode and anode protection, covering the Li-S and the emerging Na-S and K-S systems. The approaches for improving electrochemical performance may be categorized as one or a combination of the following: Immobilization of polysulfides (cathode); catalyzing sulfur redox kinetics (cathode); introduction of protective layers to serve as an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) (anode); and combined improvement in electrolyte wetting and homogenization of ion flux (anode and cathode). It is demonstrated that while the advances in Li-S are relatively mature, less progress has been made with Na-S and K-S due to the more challenging redox chemistry at the cathode and increased electrochemical instability at the anode. Throughout these sections there is a complementary discussion of functional separators for emerging alkali metal systems based on metal-selenium and the metal-selenium sulfide. The focus then shifts to interlayers and artificial SEI/cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) layers employed to stabilize solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) in metal-sulfur solid-state batteries (SSBs). The discussion of SSEs focuses on inorganic electrolytes based on Li- and Na-based oxides and sulfides but also touches on some hybrid systems with an inorganic matrix and a minority polymer phase. The review then moves to practical considerations for functional separators, including scaleup issues and Li-S technoeconomics. The review concludes with an outlook section, where we discuss emerging mechanics, spectroscopy, and advanced electron microscopy (e.g. cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and cryo-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB))-based approaches for analysis of functional separator structure-battery electrochemical performance interrelations. Throughout the review we identify the outstanding open scientific and technological questions while providing recommendations for future research topics.

Review of Multifunctional Separators: Stabilizing the Cathode and the Anode for Alkali (Li, Na, and K) Metal-Sulfur and Selenium Batteries.

There is a growing demand for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) fabricated with environmentally-friendly materials to transition toward a more sustainable society based on a circular economy. Battery separator, typically a porous petroleum-polymer, plays a pivotal role as it serves to efficiently transfer ions between electrodes while preventing electrical short-circuits. To reduce our dependence on fossil resources, cellulose and its derivatives are being used as sustainable battery separators thanks to its easily controllable porosity, suitable mechanical and thermal properties, non-toxicity and inherent hydrophilicity. Here we first present the structure, physico-chemical properties and various types of cellulose derivatives, as well as the different manufacturing approaches to obtain porous cellulose membranes. Further, the most recent developments in the field of cellulose and its derivates for lithium ion battery separators and solid polymer electrolytes are discussed. Finally, the main issues and properties to be improved in the near future concerning cellulosic separators are shown.

Cellulose and its derivatives for lithium ion battery separators: A review on the processing methods and properties

Ionic conductors (ICs) find widespread applications across different fields, such as smart electronic, ionotronic, sensor, biomedical, and energy harvesting/storage devices, and largely determine the function and performance of these devices. In the pursuit of developing ICs required for better performing and sustainable devices, cellulose appears as an attractive and promising building block due to its high abundance, renewability, striking mechanical strength, and other functional features. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary regarding ICs fabricated from cellulose and cellulose-derived materials in terms of fundamental structural features of cellulose, the materials design and fabrication techniques for engineering, main properties and characterization, and diverse applications. Next, the potential of cellulose-based ICs to relieve the increasing concern about electronic waste within the frame of circularity and environmental sustainability and the future directions to be explored for advancing this field are discussed. Overall, we hope this review can provide a comprehensive summary and unique perspectives on the design and application of advanced cellulose-based ICs and thereby encourage the utilization of cellulosic materials toward sustainable devices.

Cellulose-Based Ionic Conductor: An Emerging Material toward Sustainable Devices.

In the quest for a sustainable society, energy storage technology is destined to play a central role in the future energy landscape. Breakthroughs in materials and methods involving sustainable resources are crucial to protect humankind from the most serious consequences of climate change. Rechargeable batteries of all forms will be required to follow the path. Elements that are eligible to harmonically contribute to the development of a sustainable ecosystem and fulfil the demands of high energy density batteries include Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, and Al. Numerous research efforts are underway to explore new battery chemistries based on these elements and, depending on the field of application, different elements inherit different advantages and challenges. Full sustainability implies that the environmental friendliness of these systems must be characterized by a “cradle‐to‐grave” approach. In this context, the pursuit of global environmental and economical sustainability from mass production, raw materials, and technical challenges is discussed herein for the most recent battery concepts based on monovalent and multivalent metal anodes. A perspective on strategies and opportunities particularly around the development of all‐solid‐state system configurations is provided, and the most important obstacles to overcome in search of a more sustainable future for electrochemical energy storage are addressed.

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/aenm.202100785

Solid-State Post Li Metal Ion Batteries: A Sustainable Forthcoming Reality?

The development of efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly energy storage systems plays a pivotal role in moving toward a more sustainable society. Sodium-ion batteries (NIBs) have garnered c...

A Sodium-Ion Battery Separator with Reversible Voltage Response Based on Water-Soluble Cellulose Derivatives.

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A Sodium-Ion Battery Separator with Reversible Voltage Response Based on Water-Soluble Cellulose Derivatives.