Work

A Pathway Towards Truly Sustainable Battery Electrode Materials: Interaction of Organic Redox‐Active Polymers With Porous Carbons

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Electrical energy storage is a topic of growing importance. Organic polymer batteries made of earth‐abundant elements are important tools for achieving a sustainable and electrified society. However, organic redox‐active polymers have low conductivity, necessitating conductive additives to be exploited in battery electrodes. To date, most of the organic polymers reported in the literature are mixed with expensive additives, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes. Porous carbons are a sustainable alternative, as they can be obtained from biowaste, and convenient for polymer‐carbon hybrid materials, as they have a high surface area, which can absorb polymers. In order to offer guidelines for achieving batteries with drastically reduced environmental impact while ensuring economic viability, here we review the most important advancements in polymer‐carbon hybrid materials formation. We pay special attention to the choice of porous carbons, as well as to the method of hybrid formation. This perspective is the first guide for the formation of truly sustainable battery electrodes, comprising both sustainable polymer and conductive additives.

Source: Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research

DOI: 10.1002/aesr.202500493

Authors: Ivan K. Ilic, Valerio Galli, Mario Caironi

Institutions: Italian Institute of Technology, Center for Nano Science and Technology, Politecnico di Milano

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, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,910