Biopolymer Based Materials as Alternative Greener Binders for Sustainable Electrochemical Energy Storage Applications

Abstract In this study, we address the most recent innovations in the field of sustainable and environment friendlier binders for electrochemical energy storage devices such as, supercapacitors and batteries accompanied by the explanation, how they could reduce the impacts of environment and cost and enhance the efficiency of the energy equipment. Hitherto, the number of sustainable and environment friendlier binders are categorized according to their chemical composition, processability and natural availability. Different electrochemical devices are being employed to investigate their wide‐ranging advantages. Among them the most commonly employed devices are lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and electrochemical double layer supercapacitors (ECDSs). A detailed insight into the anodic half as well as cathodic half has been presented. The Si derived anodes exhibit enhanced capacitive performance as a result of increased cycling ability. This feature owes from the greater interactions between the functionalities and surface of the active particles of the anode material for example, polysaccharides such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/nanocellulose (NC). On the other hands the transition to water‐processable cathodes is more complicated compared to anodes. Among various polysaccharides, the NC has gained considerable attention as a sustainable and environment friendlier class of greener materials. Herein, we have discussed the role of NC based electrode materials with applications in supercapacitors and batteries. Finally, a comprehensive overview based on the documented work and current views for the further development of NC based aqueous electrodes in the field of electrochemical energy storage devices are discussed.