Bacterial, Regenerated, and Carbonized Cellulose as Sustainable Components for Lithium- and Sodium Ion Batteries

Abstract— Materials made from cellulose have become highperforming and environmentally friendly substitutes for traditional synthetic parts in energy storage systems. Given their renewable source, superior mechanical strength, high thermal stability, and adjustable porosity—all of which improve battery safety and ionic conductivity—bacterial cellulose (BC) and regenerated cellulose (RC) stand out among them as viable separator materials. These characteristics enable BC and RC to work well as pure or hybrid cellulose membranes; they are often further enhanced with polymer composites or additives to increase their electrochemical performance and endurance. At the same time, cellulose-derived carbon (CC) has gained more and more interest as a potential next-generation anode material, especially for sodium-ion batteries. In addition to maintaining cellulose's durable qualities, carbonization adds a porous conductive framework that enhances structural stability and electron transport. Ion diffusion constraints, however, continue to hinder CC's rate performance at high current densities, requiring creative structural design and precursor modification techniques. Together, BC, RC, and CC show how cellulose and its derivatives may be used to advance electrodes and separators for lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and supercapacitor systems. Their combined potential makes cellulose-based materials an essential component of safe, effective, and sustainable energy storage solutions. Keywords— Bacterial cellulose (BC), Regenerated cellulose (RC), Cellulose-derived carbon (CC), Battery separators, Sodiumion batteries, Lithium-ion batteries, Supercapacitors.