Sustainable Polymers for Battery Applications

Abstract

Synthetic polymers, known for their durability, low cost, and functionality, have become indispensable in our lives, yet they also raise significant environmental concerns. Concurrently, energy storage devices, particularly rechargeable batteries, are essential for everyday convenience and are witnessing exponential demand across various applications, from smartphones to personal computers and electric vehicles. As key technologies in achieving “Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality”, the sustainability of batteries establishes a critical goal for advancements in polymer development. Sustainable polymers derived from natural feedstocks or green processes, such as recycling and upcycling, have emerged as promising candidates for sustainable battery manufacturing. This includes applications in solid-state polymer electrolytes, binders, separators, and organic electrode materials. On one hand, sustainable polymers can significantly reduce our reliance on petroleum-based raw materials and eliminate the toxic solvents often used in battery production, thereby alleviating environmental concerns. On the other hand, the development of solid-state polymer electrolytes can lead to batteries with a more compact structure and improved energy density. However, the integration of sustainable polymers into battery technology is still in its early stages, and several challenges need to be addressed to effectively replace petroleum-based polymers. This review summarizes the cycling approaches to sustainable polymers and highlights pioneering research in battery applications over the past decade. We conclude by discussing the potential challenges and promising directions for the future development of batteries utilizing sustainable polymers.