Biomaterials for High‐Energy Lithium‐Based Batteries: Strategies, Challenges, and Perspectives

• Published in: Advanced energy materials 2019-10, Vol.9 (40), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Fu, Xuewei, Zhong, Wei‐Hong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anodic protection; biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Chitosan; Electrodes; Electrolytes; high‐voltage cathodes; Lithium; Lithium batteries; lithium–sulfur batteries; Product safety; Renewable resources; Separators; silicon anodes; solid electrolytes
• ISSN: 1614-6832; 1614-6840
• DOI: 10.1002/aenm.201901774

Developing high‐performance batteries through applying renewable resources is of great significance for meeting ever‐growing energy demands and sustainability requirements. Biomaterials have overwhelming advantages in material abundance, environmental benignity, low cost, and more importantly, multifunctionalities from structural and compositional diversity. Therefore, significant and fruitful research on exploiting various natural biomaterials (e.g., soy protein, chitosan, cellulose, fungus, etc.) for boosting high‐energy lithium‐based batteries by means of making or modifying critical battery components (e.g., electrode, electrolyte, and separator) are reported. In this review, the recent advances and main strategies for adopting biomaterials in electrode, electrolyte, and separator engineering for high‐energy lithium‐based batteries are comprehensively summarized. The contributions of biomaterials to stabilizing electrodes, capturing electrochemical intermediates, and protecting lithium metal anodes/enhancing battery safety are specifically emphasized. Furthermore, advantages and challenges of various strategies for fabricating battery materials via biomaterials are described. Finally, future perspectives and possible solutions for further development of biomaterials for high‐energy lithium‐based batteries are proposed. Adopting biomaterials for boosting high‐energy lithium‐based batteries strongly benefits sustainable and clean energy storage. This review covers primary strategies for engineering of electrodes, electrolytes, and separators by biomaterials, which aim to resolve the critical issues of high‐energy lithium‐based batteries. Significant contributions from biomaterials to specific battery systems, current challenges for each strategy, and forthcoming opportunities are discussed.