Work

Cellulose composite membranes induced by multiple hydrogen bonds as lightweight current collectors for high-performance batteries

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: While reducing current collector thickness improves battery energy density, further thinning commercial collectors compromises mechanical integrity and increases manufacturing costs. Here, we overcome these limitations by developing a lightweight (1.23 mg·cm-2), cost-effective cellulose composite membrane (CCM) via solution casting from an alkali/urea solvent. This CCM, composed of modified carbon nanotubes and natural cellulose, exhibits high electrochemical stability and flexibility, serving as both cathode and anode current collectors. CCM-containing batteries show 99.40% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 3 C. Replacing commercial collectors with CCM reduced their battery proportion to 6.23% and increased gravimetric energy density by 41.32%, while also reducing current collector costs by 50.36%. The CCM, produced through regenerated cellulose technology, is suitable for industrial-scale production, offering a strategy to enhance battery energy density with lightweight, low-cost current collectors. Thinning commercial current collectors for better battery energy density compromises mechanical integrity and increases costs. Here, a lightweight, cost-effective cellulose composite membrane was developed with high stability and flexibility, improving energy density by 41.32% and reducing costs by 50.36%.

Source: Communications Materials

DOI: 10.1038/s43246-025-00802-6

Authors: Chenchen Li, Zhenwei Yang, Xiaogang Luo

Institution: Wuhan Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Advancements in Battery Materials

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,690