Toward Sustainable Solid Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Sustainable Energy

Background:

• Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) dominate energy storage but pose safety risks due to flammable organic electrolytes.
• Next-generation batteries require enhanced safety and energy density, driving the development of solid-state batteries.
• Synthetic solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are explored, but natural polymers offer environmental benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a perspective on state-of-the-art sustainable SPEs for LIBs.
• To highlight recent developments focusing on natural polymers for battery applications.
• To assess the potential of natural polymer-based SPEs for high-performance, safe, and sustainable batteries.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on natural polymer-based SPEs for LIBs.
• Analysis of relevant properties of natural polymers in battery contexts.
• Reporting of ionic conductivity and battery performance data for natural polymer SPEs.

Main Results:

• Natural polymers are viable alternatives for developing sustainable SPEs.
• Natural polymer-based SPEs demonstrate promising ionic conductivity and battery performance.
• These sustainable SPEs align with performance, safety, and circular economy goals.

Conclusions:

• Sustainable SPEs derived from natural polymers are crucial for next-generation solid-state batteries.
• The use of natural polymers addresses environmental concerns in battery technology.
• Natural polymer-based SPEs contribute to a synergistic focus on performance, sustainability, and circular economy.