Lignocellulose Biopolymers and Electronically Conducting Polymers: Toward Sustainable Energy Storage Applications

Abstract

The demand for the development of electrochemical energy storage systems from abundant, renewable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective materials has been the focal and driving point in the advancement of electronic devices. This task and demand can be addressed with a resource that is abundant and possesses the attributes of being developed into efficient electrochemical energy storage systems. Lignin and cellulose, which are collectively known as lignocellulose, are the two most abundant biopolymers available, and they possess the attributes and the qualities to meet this demand. Lignocellulose biopolymers possess unique characteristics such as mechanical flexibility, porosity, and tunability because of their abundant and diverse functional groups. These qualities enable suitable pairing with electronically conducting polymers as enhanced materials for the development of sustainable energy storage devices. This Review highlights the challenges and the utilization of lignocellulose with electronically conducting polymers in supercapacitors applications and battery applications in various capacities as electrodes, separators, binders, and electrolytes.