Biomaterials for advanced Li and Li-ion batteries

Abstract Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the most advanced energy storage systems, meeting the current business, industrial and social demands. Two factors are currently driving the research in the batteries field: first is the constant demand for better performance, and the second is the urgent call to minimize the ecological impacts related to battery manufacturing, employment, and decommission. Biomaterials demonstrate complex and diverse structures and unique physicochemical properties that can be easily modified. These features are very advantageous for the preparation of lithium and Li-ion cell components. The adoption of biomaterials substantially benefits the development of a clean and sustainable battery industry. The main areas of implementing biomaterials in electrodes, separators, and binders for high-energy lithium and LIBs are identified, and the latest achievements in the fields are outlined in this work. While advanced development in the field of LIBs provides solid grounds to consider that the application of biomaterials has great potential, future implementation of such materials in commercial LIBs production is yet to be fully realized, and there is still a need for a large volume of research work. The main points of future work and perspective in this research area are outlined in this review. Graphical Abstract The present review describes recent efforts and achievements in the field of bio-derived materials and biomimetic-related designs and preparation techniques and methods, overcoming the challenges associated with future Li-ion batteries and Li metal-based batteries development and production.