Paving the Way Towards Sustainable Next-Generation Energy Storage Through Green Biopolymer Binders

Abstract

Biopolymers are considered to be an emerging class of materials developed from sustainable resources and are chosen for a wide range of applications due to their fascinating tunability and physicochemical properties. This review primarily categorizes the biopolymer binders based on their source of origin, including plant-derived, animal-derived, and marine-derived, as well as synthetic polymers. Several types of biopolymers are manufactured via greener routes, which exhibit biodegradability cost-effectiveness, as well as possess favorable morphological and compositional merits that aid in several applications. As part of fostering a greener and safer economy, the conventional and nonsustainable polyvinylidene fluoride binder is substituted by biopolymer-based binders, which have emerged as an eco-friendly alternative. It is noteworthy that the biopolymers, namely, cellulose, chitosan, gums, pectin, and alginate, often consist of several hydrophilic functional groups that help to improve the electrochemical performance. Since binders are considered to be an integral part of any energy storage device, the prospects of biopolymers as green binders in the context of energy storage devices such as supercapacitors, batteries, and emerging systems are addressed in detail in this review, along with their structural advantages. Overall, this review provides, a comprehensive overview of different categories and applications of biopolymer binders.