Research and development trends of nanocellulose in the field of energy materials

With the rapid development of green energy technology, the market demand for sustainable, lightweight and high-performance materials is increasing. As a green nanomaterial with a wide range of sources, excellent performance and degradable properties, nanocellulose ( Nanocellulose ) plays an increasingly important role in the field of energy materials, especially in batteries, supercapacitors, separators, electrode materials, energy storage systems, etc.

Basic characteristics and energy adaptability of nanocellulose

Nanocellulose is obtained from natural cellulose through mechanical, chemical or enzymatic treatment, and has the following core properties that are highly matched with the energy field:

Large specific surface area : conducive to ion transport and electrolyte infiltration;

High mechanical strength and flexibility : suitable for flexible electronic devices and wearable energy products;

Excellent thermal and chemical stability : can operate stably in higher temperature and complex chemical environments;

Easy surface functional modification : can collaborate with graphene, carbon nanotubes, conductive polymers and other materials to build composite structures;

Green and environmentally friendly, degradable : conducive to the development of sustainable energy systems.

Key Application of Nanocellulose in Energy Materials

1. Lithium-ion battery separator material

Nanocellulose can be used as a substrate for lithium battery separators due to its dense three-dimensional network structure and excellent thermal stability. It can effectively suppress short circuits between electrodes, improve battery safety, and maintain good ionic conductivity.

The nanocellulose separator has high porosity and improves the electrolyte retention ability;

After adding alumina or graphene, heat resistance and flame retardant properties can be further enhanced.

2. Flexible electrode base material

In flexible energy storage devices (such as flexible batteries, wearable capacitors), nanocellulose is widely used as the skeleton of electrode materials due to its mechanical flexibility and excellent film formation .

The nanocellulose / carbon nanotube composite electrode exhibits good conductivity and cycling stability;

Transparent, lightweight, and high current-carrying density electrode films can be prepared.

3. Supercapacitor electrode and electrolyte carrier

Nanocellulose can be used as an electrode substrate or gel electrolyte carrier for supercapacitors, supporting rapid ion diffusion and high specific capacity design, and is suitable for short-term high-power output systems.

After functional modification (such as TEMPO oxidation), its surface functional groups help to improve capacitive reactive activity;

It can composite polypyrrole, graphene oxide, etc. to improve the overall energy storage capacity.

4. Auxiliary materials in the field of hydrogen energy and fuel cells

In proton exchange membrane fuel cells, nanocellulose can be used as a supporting material to enhance the mechanical properties and environmental stability of the proton membrane, and improve the working life and safety of the fuel cell.

Future trends in nanocellulose in energy materials

Development direction	Application value
Cooperate with graphene and MXene to build composite conductive materials	Improve conductivity and energy storage efficiency
Smart power film in wearable devices	Promote the development of flexible energy systems
Environmentally friendly and biodegradable energy carrier	Meet green manufacturing and circular economy
Industrialized low-cost preparation	Lower application thresholds and accelerate marketization

Under the background of ' dual carbon target ' , nanocellulose has injected new impetus into the new energy industry with sustainable materials.

Nanjing Tianlu Nano Technology Co., Ltd. is committed to the industrial development of nanocellulose materials, and continues to innovate in the direction of battery separators, electrode coatings, flexible energy storage materials, etc., and its products are widely used in new energy enterprises, universities and scientific research projects and cutting-edge laboratories. We welcome new energy companies to negotiate cooperation with scientific research teams to jointly explore the infinite possibilities of nanocellulose in the field of green energy.