Hemp Fiber Derived Cellulose Separator Modified with Sodium Alginate for Stabilizing Zinc Anode

Hemp fibers, naturally rich in cellulose and possessing a porous structure with abundant hydroxyl groups, offer strong electrolyte uptake, while the favourable interactions between Zn 2+ ions and hydroxyl groups help suppress dendrite growth. In this study, cellulose was extracted from hemp through alkaline treatment and bleaching, followed by blending with sodium alginate to fabricate the separator. SEM and chemical composition analyses confirmed effective fiber separation and cellulose purity, whereas XRD, FTIR, and TGA verified the crystalline structure, functional groups, and thermal stability, respectively. The hemp-derived cellulose fibers were processed into separators with Rapid-Köthen sheet former. Zinc plating/stripping tests demonstrated stable cycling from 0.5 to 8 A cm -2 and more than 3000 cycles at 5 A cm -2 , indicating strong potential for aqueous Zn-ion battery applications.