From nature, requite to nature: Bio-based cellulose and its derivatives for construction of green zinc batteries

Abstract

With the increasing demand for energy storage and the quest to overcome the shortcomings of lithium-ion batteries, various zinc-based batteries are developing rapidly for their high safety, low cost and reliable ecological compatibility. Cellulosic materials made from abundant natural resources are becoming a widespread concern of scientists due to the rich, versatile, sustainable and inexpensive properties. They could be endowed with many new properties after modification or nano treatment, such as the better solubility in common solvents and improved mechanical properties, which would facilitate the reaction kinetics and longevity of the batteries. Herein, we divided natural cellulose into three categories, namely pristine cellulose, cellulose derivatives and nanocellulose, and reviewed in detail their inherent functions in the assembly of electrodes, electrolytes and separators in zinc batteries. These cellulose materials show great prospects in improving the electrochemical performance and durability of zinc batteries by inhibiting zinc corrosion, preventing dendrite growth, providing greater mechanical properties, improving ionic conductivity and catalyzing chemical conversions. At last, the current challenges and future development of cellulose in zinc batteries were presented.