Issue 19, 2024

Eco-friendly, sustainable, and safe energy storage: a nature-inspired materials paradigm shift

Abstract

Here, we explore the paradigm shift towards eco-friendly, sustainable, and safe batteries, inspired by nature, to meet the rising demand for clean energy solutions. Current energy storage devices face challenges in performance, cost, and environmental impact. Nature-inspired strategies, drawing from billions of years of evolution, offer innovative solutions. This review focuses on how biomolecule-based electrode materials, green biobatteries, and biodegradable materials can support further developments in battery technology. Biomolecule-based electrodes mimic natural electron shuttles, enhancing capacitor performance. Nature-inspired designs applied to binders and separators allow the modulation of electrochemical performance. Green biobatteries, employing living organisms for energy generation, showcase potential applications in environmental monitoring, healthcare, and agriculture. Challenges include optimizing energy conversion efficiency and addressing scalability. Biodegradable materials, including organic electrolytes and sustainable electrodes, offer an eco-conscious approach to battery technology. The integration of biodegradable materials requires balancing performance metrics while ensuring a circular economy approach. This comprehensive exploration emphasizes the potential of nature-inspired materials in reshaping the landscape of energy storage.

Graphical abstract: Eco-friendly, sustainable, and safe energy storage: a nature-inspired materials paradigm shift

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
05 apr 2024
Accepted
02 aug 2024
First published
06 aug 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Mater. Adv., 2024,5, 7534-7547

Eco-friendly, sustainable, and safe energy storage: a nature-inspired materials paradigm shift

T. Bertaglia, C. M. Costa, S. Lanceros-Méndez and F. N. Crespilho, Mater. Adv., 2024, 5, 7534 DOI: 10.1039/D4MA00363B

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