Application of Nanocellulose in Energy Materials and Devices

Advanced energy devices provide a promising approach to fully take advantage of clean, renewable, but intermittent energy sources that are able to promote a revolutionary transformation from fossil fuel economy to one built on renewable and clean energy. In parallel to the growing demand for sustainable energy sources, our society is placing a formidable request on the sustainability of the energy storage devices. Incorporating nanocellulose into energy devices is a viable way to realize this objective. In this charter, we summarize some of the recent progress in the utilization of nanocellulose in electrochemical energy storage or converting devices. We begin with an introduction of the use of nanocellulose as electrodes, separator, electrolyte, and binders in lithium ion batteries. Moreover, we introduce the utilization of nanocellulose as substrates, nano-template, and mesoporous membrane in supercapacitors. After that, we discuss the application of nanocellulose in energy harvesting devices, such as fuel cells, solar cells, and nanogenerators. Finally, we provide a conclusion and outlook of nanocellulose in energy devices.