Lignocellulose-Mediated Gel Polymer Electrolytes Toward Next-Generation Energy Storage

The pursuit of high energy density and sustainable energy storage devices has been the target of many researchers. However, safety issues such as the susceptibility of conventional liquid electrolytes to leakage and flammability, as well as performance degradation due to uncontrollable dendrite growth in liquid electrolytes, have been limiting the further development of energy storage devices. In this regard, gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) based on lignocellulosic (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin) have attracted great interest due to their high thermal stability, excellent electrolyte wettability, and natural abundance. Therefore, in this critical review, a comprehensive overview of the current challenges faced by GPEs is presented, followed by a detailed description of the opportunities and advantages of lignocellulosic materials for the fabrication of GPEs for energy storage devices. Notably, the key properties and corresponding construction strategies of GPEs for energy storage are analyzed and discussed from the perspective of lignocellulose for the first time. Moreover, the future challenges and prospects of lignocellulose-mediated GPEs in energy storage applications are also critically reviewed and discussed. We sincerely hope this review will stimulate further research on lignocellulose-mediated GPEs in energy storage and provide meaningful directions for the strategy of designing advanced GPEs.